Saga of Frank McCourt's ashes has another chapter or two left in it
THE SAGA of the McCourt ashes has yet to reach its final chapter, but the McCourt brothers have laughed off rumours that the family forgot to bring home the ashes of their Pulitzer Prize winning brother last week. And they have also vowed to return to Limerick to scatter his ashes, which was his intention.
The family had planned to scatter some of his ashes at Carrigogunnell castle, near Clarina, on Saturday last, but they said their time schedule in Limerick prevented that from taking place.
"Malachy had brought his portion of the ashes but it just didn't happen. We will have to come again," said Alphie McCourt, the youngest son of Angela and Malachy McCourt.
However, some of his ashes are being kept in a "secret location" in his former national school on Hartstonge Street.
Artist Una Heaton, whose family own Leamy's on Hartstonge Street, was presented with the ashes by the McCourt family last week.
The Angela's Ashes author has now seen his own ashes dispersed throughout the world - in Limerick, New York and California, where his brother Michael resides.
Brothers Alphie, Malachy, Michael and his widow Ellen each have a portion of Frank's ashes, with some also being buried near his home in Connecticut.
His mother's ashes were scattered at a cemetery in Limerick. Frank had famously left them in a bar before travelling to JFK Airport to fly to Shannon.
When interviewed by the Limerick Leader in November 2007, Frank McCourt spoke of his thoughts on mortality.
He said: "I wouldn't like to be incapacitated, or handicapped, or die of a slow disease. I don't want to be beholden to anyone or have anyone wiping my mouth if I'm drooling. I'd just like to go. I don't want funeral services or memorials. Let them scatter my ashes over the Shannon and pollute the river."
In fact, he said he shouldn't be alive. "I should be six feet under with worms crawling up my nose," he said.
But he added that perhaps there was a reason why he lived to such a great age.
"If you live past 65 you're responsible to the rest of humanity to pass on your insights, that's why you're allowed to live a little longer. So if I'm here, there's a reason I'm here."
During his last visit to Limerick, he walked the Angela's Ashes tour, with guide Mick O'Donnell and a group of American tourists, who paid handsomely for the privilege of his company.
"All those here today have read the book and are looking for the deeper meaning and that is why they are here. If they find a deeper meaning they will get a prize - as I have never been able to find it."
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Wednesday 23 May 2012
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