Plaque To Be Unveiled To Limerick Bishop In Two-Mile-Borris, Thurles.

A large crowd is expected to be in attendance on Tuesday, October 1st, 2024 next, in the Village of Two-Mile-Borris, Thurles, Co. Tipperary when a memorial plaque will be unveiled to the Right Reverend John Ryan (DD), late Bishop of Limerick.

Born in Two-Mile-Borris, Thurles Co. Tipperary, Bishop John Ryan went on to study at St Patrick’s College Maynooth, Co. Kildare, where he was ordained in June 1810. His time in his native diocese of Cashel and Emly is somewhat uncertain due to the many men in that diocese bearing the Ryan surname. However, it is generally accepted that he became PP of Doon, Co. Limerick, before his appointment as PP of Mullinahone, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.
He was nominated coadjutor Bishop of Limerick on March 17th 1828 (St Patrick’s day), following the death of Bishop Charles Tuohy* (1754–1828).

* (Note Bishop Tuohy, a native of Limerick city, despite laws outlawing Catholic education, had been educated in the Irish College in Toulouse and later at the Irish College in Paris, before returning to serve as Bishop of Limerick from 1813 until his death on March 17th 1828).

Bishop John Ryan remained Bishop of Limerick for 36 years, before passing away in 1864. During his time as Bishop of Limerick, he built several churches in his diocese, including the magnificent Saint John’s Cathedral in Limerick City, which can be viewed today, and where he is now buried in front of the Cathedral’s main alter.

Bishop Ryan’s mother Catherine (nee Hickey), was a native of Longfordpass, Grague, Gortnahoe, Co Tipperary. The now identified inscription on his parents headstone reads: “Here lies the body of Patrick Ryan of Borris (Two-Mile-Borris) who depd this life March 5th 1805, aged 65 years. Also his wife Cathrn (Catherine) Ryan, alias Hickey who depd Novr (November) 1st 1836, aged 92 years. May the Lord have mercy on their souls”.

The site of Bishop Ryan’s parents grave is situated in the old section of Two-Mile-Borris cemetery, latter located south of the large crucifix which divides the newer section from the old.
Over a period of time this historic old section has been slowly reclaimed, with old head stones resurrected, cleaned and where possible lettering repaired. Same major restoration work has been led by Mr Gerry Bowe (Chairperson, Two-Mile-Borris, Old Cemetery Committee) and Mr Enda Bourke (Secretary, Two-Mile-Borris, Old Cemetery Committee), under the guidance of Master Grave-Stone Mason Mr James Slattery, Fianna Road, Thurles, Co. Tipperary and his qualified workforce.

Regarding the event on October 1st, 2024, Priests, parishioners and some three generations of Ryan family relatives are expected to attend next month’s ceremony in Two-Mile-Borris, Thurles; and all are invited to gather first at the Church of St James, in the Two-Mile-Borris village centre, at 2:00pm sharp, where local Parish Priest Fr Tom Fogarty, will take charge of Church introductions and proceedings.

Following the Church service, a lone piper, Mr John Moloughney (Moycarkey, Thurles) will lead the congregation from the Church of St James to the grave site of Bishop John Ryan’s parents, where the now retired Bishop of Killala, Right Revd. John Fleming will unveil a plaque to the late Bishop Ryan.

Following the graveyard ceremony all attendees are invited to attend at Corcoran’s Lounge, in the village to chat and partake of light refreshments .

The graves here in the old section of the graveyard go back at least to the mid-18th century, and possibly much earlier. The Irish Penal Laws sporadically enforced in the late 18th century, together with the great poverty of the period, ensured that despite the best of intentions, headstones were not always erected, replacing foot-stone/toe-stone markers, to commemorate loved ones.

It was following research undertaken on the Ryan family, by Mrs Julie Thomas (nee Bourke, formerly Rathcunikeen, Two-Mile-Borris, a 3rd generation relative of Fr John Ryan) and her husband Mr Tony Thomas, latter now both residing in New Zealand, that the burial place of Bishop Ryan’s parents was linked to Two-Mile-Borris, before the tombstone itself was discovered, raised and finally identified by Mr Jerry Bowe.
Mr Bowe would also like to personally thank Ms Margaret Cormack (Templetuohy., Thurles) for her assistance.
In February last, Two-Mile-Borris residents, Mr Gerry Bowe and Mr Enda Bourke visited Limerick Cathedral and were granted a very informative tour of Limerick Cathedral by Canon Frank O’Connor. Sadly Canon O’Connor who would have been present for the Two-Mile-Borris ceremony, sadly passed away on Thursday August 1st last, following a short illness. Canon O’Connor will be remembered with gratitude at Bishop Ryan’s ceremony next month.

The light of heaven on Canon O’Connor’s gentle soul. May he rest in peace.