THE DEATH of Anne Fitzpatrick at the start of her 104th year on Wednesday
30th of December 2009, marked the end of one of Ringsendʼs longest
lives. Her parents, Annie and Peter OʼHanlon moved into number 39,
Pembroke Cottages in 1902 and Annie was born there in 1906.
Just think of the history she was a witness to during her life span. She
know hunger at the time of the Lock-Out in 1913, as her father was working
for Dublin United Tramways and I believe those workers were the first
to strike. During the First World War, she recalled British hospital ships
docking at the North Wall. The ships had large red crosses painted on
their sides and were bringing wounded soldiers for treatment in the Royal
Hospital in Kilmainham.
Then came 1916. As she used to say in her later years, she was the only
Dub who wasnʼt in the GPO. And after that the War of Independence and
the Civil War. “May God forgive them,” was her only comment about all
that.
There were four currencies used here in the course of Annieʼs life. 1928
saw the introduction of Irish bank notes and coins for the first time. In
1972, decimalization was introduced. Annie said she found it hard to understand
how you could have 240 pennies one day and only 100 the next.
She also witnessed the end of sailing ships and steam ships taking over.
The Titanic, that great steamer, was built, launched and sunk in her early
life. Anne saw the development of electricity, motor transport, aviation
and communications, such as radio, the telephone, the television and now
of course, computers.
On a more local level, Annie also remembered St Patrickʼs Church being
built in Ringsend. She was baptised in the original old church and
made her first holy communion and confirmation in the new church. Annie
left the new church for the last time on Saturday, January the second,
2010. May she rest in peace.
Annie was one of eight sisters. She is survived by her sister Rita. She
married late in life and had no children of her own.
Picture: By Peter, The last snow picture of this year… we hope.
