The visit of the Queen to the Irish Republic has evoked reminiscences. Notes in parish magazines and a review of a major new book “Harp and Crown” reveal nostalgic links which remain between the monarchy and the Republic.
In Close News–the magazine of St Patrick’s Cathedral, Dublin, an extract from an article by the former Dean, the Very Reverend Victor Griffin, states, “There is a plaque in the North transept in memory of Alfred Birch. Queen Victoria, on a visit to Dublin, attended morning service – Alfred was the soloist. Queen Victoria was so impressed that she arranged for Alfred to sing at the Vice-Regal Lodge where she was entertaining VIPs to lunch. To remember the occasion Queen Victoria presented Alfred with a pair of silver cufflinks inscribed with the Royal monogram. When he retired from a career in the British Army in the rank of major, Alfred resumed his connection with the cathedral and the Past Choristers Association which continued until his death in 1977. He gave me the cufflinks which I am giving to the cathedral, the appropriate place for an item with such an interesting story to tell.”
In the current issue of the Dublin diocesan magazine, The Church Review, the Rev Alan Rufli, rector of Clondalkin, reports, “As the country gets ready for the visit of Queen Elizabeth in May it is interesting to note the following report on Queen Victoria’s visit in 1900.
“On Easter Monday, April 16, the Queen’s drive was through the village of Clondalkin and on the morning of the day the Princesses Christian and Beatrice visited the Dominican convent for the deaf and dumb at Cabra”.
Mary Kenny in her recently published book, “Crown and Shamrock” a review of which is in the Articles section of this site, tells how when Ireland left the Commonwealth, thus severing its last link to the Crown. “Why leave the family?” asked poor King George VI. She also quotes a poignant letter to the King from the wife of the rector of St Matthew’s church, Irishtown, Dublin. On Easter Sunday 1949, they had all sung the national anthem for the last time before it was supplanted: “Legislation does not kill love and loyalty”, she told her former sovereign.