If Walls Could Talk: A Lady of true dedication to public service in Limerick

Dr Paul O'Brien explores the life of Lady Nash who was affected deeply by the horrors of the First World War

AGNES Nash spent a long and dedicated life challenging social disadvantage.

She was active in a number of local and national charities and trusts and a vocal supporter of causes ranging from children’s rights to the work of institutions such as the RNLI.

Agnes Kathleen Mary Haran was born in Dungarvan, Waterford in 1876, the daughter of James and Eileen (née Keely) Haran, originally from Ibrickan, Clare.

James’ profession as a bank manager meant that they often moved around the country and by 1881, the family was living at Carlisle Terrace, O’Connell Avenue, Limerick.

On May 23, 1896, Agnes married Dr Vincent Nash (1865-1942). He was High Sheriff of Limerick, in 1902, and received the Coronation Medal the same year. Dr Nash was head of the firm of James Nash & Son, Land Agents of 85 O’Connell Street.

As was expected of an individual of her class, Lady Nash made her debut at Dublin Castle in February 1903 when she was presented at court by the Countess of Dunraven. Close to 200 hundred guests danced the night away at a ball in the drawing room of the castle.

Dr Vincent and Lady Nash had nine children and lived in the five bay, two-storey over basement Shannon View House, Castletroy. An 1873 sale notice described the house as containing ‘three handsome reception rooms, six bed chambers, servants’ apartments, gate lodge and outbuildings.’

It was demolished in the late twentieth century.

Tragedy visited the family in the closing year of the First World War when one of their sons, Lieutenant James Haran Nash, 1st Battalion Irish Guards was killed in action in Arras, France on March 27, 1918, aged 20. His death is commemorated in the Baptistery of St. Munchin's Catholic Church, and on a plaque St. Mary’s Church, Haddington Road, Dublin.

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During the years of the First World War, Lady Nash was a member of Limerick Ladies’ Ration Guild which sought to promote economy in the food supply. She was assisted by Lady Barrington, Mrs O’Grady, Mrs Gaffney, and Mrs White.

In April 1920, she was awarded an OBE. for her dedicated work after the First World War on behalf of former servicemen. For many years, she acted as Hon. Secretary of the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Families Association. On the recommendation of Lord Dunraven, Lady Nash was appointed a magistrate of the county and city in May 1920.

Newspaper reports at the time described her as a ‘most courteous, considerate, and helpful woman… who spares no trouble to assist in relieving the wants of deserving cases.’ She was the first female appointed magistrate in the city or county.

However, the introduction of the Republican or Dáil Courts most likely prevented Lady Nash from exercising her duties, and no newspaper accounts of trials she took part in are found in the newspaper records.

By 1926, she was a member of the Limerick Advisory Committee for Juvenile Employment along with Dr Mary Shire. Lady Nash was also chair of the Limerick War Pensions Committee.

As such, she published several letters in local newspapers recounting her efforts to secure pensions for the widows of deceased servicemen whose untimely deaths had caused great stress and poverty.

In 1935, she published a letter in a Belfast newspaper entitled ‘Appeal to Women: Find Work for Ex-Servicemen’ in which she appealed for women to do their best to secure employment for men in the South who had suffered for all those terrible years in the trenches.’

In the 1940s, she was involved in the Limerick Branch of the National Council for the Blind and helped to organise handicraft sessions, organised Braille classes for individuals and promoted knitting lessons. Other members of the committee included Mrs Goodbody, Mrs Ormsby Rynn, Mrs Mercier, and Mrs Irwin.

In 1952, in recognition of 25 years of service assisting the families of ex-servicemen, Lady Nash was awarded a cheque by Lady Inchiquin which she accepted during a speech, but immediately returned it directing that ‘it be given for the relief of distress among ex-servicemen in Limerick.’ She was for many years the Chairman of the Lifeboat Institution (RNLI).

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For her dedicated years of service to that cause, she was appointed an honorary life governor in 1956, a few years after she was awarded a gold pin in recognition of her service.

Lady Nash was also a lifelong supporter of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, a cause also championed by her husband. She served on the board of the Associated Hospitals’ Sweepstake Committee from 1930-1955.

Agnes Lady Nash died in 1966 at her home. She was survived by two sons and three daughters. She is buried in the family plot in Mount Saint Lawrence Cemetery.

I am indebted to Pyers O’Conor Nash for allowing me to write about his grandmother.

Dr Paul O’Brien lectures at Mary Immaculate College