Oscar Wilde was born in Dublin in 1845, educated at Portora Royal School Enniskillen; Trinity college, Dublin and Oxford. He became one of the most famous writers of his time, having been at one time or other a playwrite and a poet..
While Wilde was studying at at Oxford, his mother, then a widow, moved to London and consequently he had very little contact with his native land. He never seemed to identify himself with the Irish struggle for freedom nor to have been endowed with a sense of patriotism. While he was not personally involved with County Monaghan, his relations had an historical link with Drumaconnor House in the Threemilehouse end of the parish of Kilmore and Drumsnatt.
Oscar Wilde’s father, Sir William Wilde, was born in 1815 and having studied medicine, became a leading eye and ear surgeon of his time. He was also very interested in the field of census and was recognized as an authority on archaeology. He also wrote a book on this subject. Sir William had two Daughters, Mary and Emily. In 1871, when Emily was 24 and Mary was 22, there was a ball taking place in Drumaconnor house which is off the Clones –Mongahan road and about two miles form Smithboro village. The two girls attended the ball and remained there when the guests had gone home. The host took one of the girls for a last dance around the floor. As they waltzed past an open fireplace the girl’s crimoline dress caught fire. Her sister seeing her plight, came to her assistance and her dress also caught fire. The host of the ball wrapped his coat around them and rolled them down the steps in front of the house into the snow, but alas it was too late and both young
girls died.
They were buried in the graveyard beside St. Molua’s Church of Ireland. A stone over their grave still stands and bears the following inscription:
“In memory of two loved sisters, Emily Wilde aged 24, and Mary Wilde, aged 22, who lost their lives and in death they were not divided”. 11 Samuel 1 v 23
It is thought that the girls were in Monaghan to further their education. In those day’s when boarding schools were uncommon, it was the custom to send students to be educated by clergymen. The girls were probably staying with the Rector of Drumsnatt, Rev. J. E. Simpson, who ministered there from 1847-1872
Sir William had a keen interest in girls’ welfare and he visited their graves on a number of occasions. It is said in his biography by T.C. Wilson that the girls’ grave was visited for twenty years after their death by a lady in black who would travel by train from Dublin To Monaghan and by carriage to Drumsnatt graveyard. Of the dead sisters she was heard to say by the sexton: “They were very dear to me”
Oscar Wilde, in his account of his father’s death, tells of a lady in black who used to come to the house every morning while his father, Sir William was dying. We may assume that the lady in black who used to visited Drumsnatt graveyard and sat at Oscar Wilde’s father’s deathbed was the same person and the mother of the girls. It is ironical that although Oscar never met his half-sisters, he was in nearby Enniskillen while they were in Drumaconnor.
Drumaconnor House still stands today and is now a most visited B&B owned by the Treanor Family.
Open for business from Jan 6th to Nov 30th. Located just three miles from Monaghan town on the N54 Clones road. It is also conveniently located to all amenities such as Golf, Horseback Riding, Angling, Hiking Tours and rally sports.
Madge and Jim are looking forward to making your stay most memorable.
