Next Monday, July 8th, marks the 41st anniversary of the birth of James O’Connor who was a stillborn, the son of Bertie and the late Marianne O’Connor of Ardoughter, Ballyduff. James was born in St Catherine’s Hospital, Rathass, Tralee, which is now Áras an Chontae. His parents were told James was buried in the Old Famine Burial Grounds at the rear of the building. Sadly, Marianne died in October. Bertie wants to erect a black granite plaque to James’s memory. It’s proposed its size would be 400mm square, 12mm thick and would include the depiction of an angel as well as an Ogham inscription. Bertie wants to attach the plaque to the wall of the graveyard. But Kerry County Council’s environmental department – graveyards section has refused. In an email, it told Bertie: “The objection is not based on religious grounds. The burial ground is a public space and all signage and plaques must reflect that.” Radio Kerry has contacted Kerry County Council for a comment. After hearing Bertie’s interview, Kathleen Wrenn got in touch with the show and told Jerry how her late father used to clean the graveyard.
