Evening Irish Times – Saturday 28 September 1912
FUNERAL OF LORD CROFTON, MOTE PARK. ROSCOMMON.
The funeral of the late Lord Crofton took place yesterday at Mote Park, and the obsequies were of the most impressive description. The remains had been removed from the residence of Lord Clonbrock at Ahascragh on Wednesday by road, a distance of about twenty miles. Some distance outside Roscommon, the cortege was met by a large contingent of the labourers on the Mote estate, who carried the coffin by relays to Mote Park, where it was placed upon a bier in the hall of his ancestral home. The late Lord Crofton had not been in permanent residence at Mote Park for long years residing for the most part with the other members of family at their London homes. It was noticed with regret on his last visit to Roscommon less than a month ago, that his health was failing. On that occasion he attended Service in the Protestant Church, and in compliment to him the choir sang one of the hymns which he had set to music. His lordship was a gifted musician, and Irish music—particularly sacred music, the richer by his musical settings. The deceased peer was a Protestant and a Unionist in politics. He did not take a very prominent part in either political or public affairs. He was of a most charitable disposition, and was at all times a generous subscriber when called upon. Many Roscommon people recollect with gratitude the practical assistance he gave to the fund organised almost thirty years ago to aid sufferers in the disastrous fire in Roscommon. It was accidents of this kind in times of strap and misfortune that gained for the Late Baron much of the large share of popularity which he enjoyed, and which is still enjoyed by the members of the Crofton family. The late Lord Crofton owned very extensive estates in the county, a considerable portion of which have been sold under the Land Acts. His relations with his tenants were always of the most cordial character, and even in the days of the Land League, when many landlords had disputes with their tenants, there never was the slightest friction between Lord Crofton and his tenantry, who held him in the highest esteem. It as a fact worth mentioning, to the credit of Lord Crofton, that an eviction was never known on his property.
The funeral took place at half-past one yesterday from Mote Park to Kilmaine Graveyard, which is situated within the demesne, and contains a family vault.
There was a brief service in the hall in which the remains of the deceased Baron lay, conducted by the Rev. T. S. Humphreys, Knockcroghery.
The funeral cortege then moved off to the graveyard. The coffin bore the following inscription—” Edward Henry Churchill, third Baron Crofton. Born October 21st, 1834. Died September 22nd, 1912 “—was carried by the workmen on the Crofton estate in relays to the burial ground at Kilmaine, a distance of over a mile and a half. Then followed the chief mourners—Captain Crofton, Lord Clanbrock, the Hon. R. E. Dillon, W. J. Talbot, and Sir William Mahon.
Amongst the general public who attended were:-
E.G. Armstrong. Ballinasloe; WE.H. Robinson, Clerk of the Crown and Peace; T A. P Mapother D.L.;. Michael Heverin, B.A.; Captain Goff, D.I.; W.D. Talbot Crosbie; Wilfred Tighe.Ballinapark., Co. Wicklow; C. C. Dignam, Sub Sheriff; Sir Henry Grattan Bellew, Bart; WE.H.Mahon; Castlegar; W. J. Dawson. manager of National Bank; , Stephen Street; L.Burke, solicitor; M Bannerton Clonbrock; Dr. Blakeney, G.A.P. Kelly, Barristor at Law; J.M. Whalan, solicitor; Rev. Keogh Kempston; W Kelly Grehan, J.P. Mulligan; Val. MCDonnell J.P.; E.K.B. Tighe, woodstock, Co. Killenny; Gerald Guiness, Edenmore; C.H. Bagot; P.A. Holmes D.I.; Captain Owen, R.N.; Very Rev. Canon Cummins D.D. P.P.’ F.G. Macsherry, solicitor; Hubert Martin, J.P.; R.F. Payne; C.P. James; J Neilan J.P.; George J Mahon. Ahascragh; Dr Dillon; John Shiel, Killegnet; F French, High Sheriff; E.W. Sanford Wills, J.P.; a number of the R.I.C. in charge of Head Constable Set John, Lady Cecilia Goff, and a large number of others.
On arrival at Kilmaine the Burial Service was conducted by the Rev. T. S. Humphreys. after which the coffin was placed in the vault, which contains the remains of members of the Crofton family for over two centuries.
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