PICTURE: Genealogy researchers travel from New Zealand to visit this Tipperary village

Residents of New Zealand, Mrs Julie and Mr Tony Thomas made a welcome return visit to Two-Mile-Borris, Thurles this month to view a memorial plaque, which had been unveiled last year to the Right Reverend John Ryan, the late Bishop of Limerick.

The memorial plaque had been unveiled on the gravesite of his parents, on the southern side of the old section of Two-Mile-Borris cemetery, by the Two-Mile-Borris Old Graveyard Committee; thus generating considerable attraction from Limerick visitors over the past 8 months.

Bishop Ryan’s mother Catherine (nee Hickey), was a native of Longfordpass, Grague, Gortnahoe, Co Tipperary.

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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".

Our readers will remember that Bishop John Ryan laid the foundation stone for the magnificent St John’s Cathedral, situated at Cathedral Place, Irishtown, Limerick city, (Eircode V94 H521), in 1856, (At this time Pope Pius IX was then head of the Catholic Church, his reign of almost 32 years being the longest verified of any Pope in history), which saw the First Mass celebrated there, in 1859, prior to the opening of the Cathedral itself in 1861, same which was consecrated by his successor, Limerick born, Bishop George Butler (1815-1886).

New Zealand’s welcome visitors, Mrs Julie & Mr Tony Thomas, have researched and written extensively on the Burke Clans nationally and Mrs Thomas has traced her family ancestors (Burke) back to Rathcunikeen, Two-Mile-Borris, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

Research undertaken by the Thomas family, combined with graveyard restoration by Mr Gerry Bowe, has led to the confirmation of the final resting place of Bishop Ryan’s parents.