Archbishop Duffy unveils plaque in memory of Cardinal John D’Alton

A plaque in memory of Cardinal John D’Alton, a native of Claremorris, was unveiled on the exterior wall beside the entrance to the Dalton Hotel on Thursday evening. Archbishop Francis Duffy officiated at the ceremony.

The venture was undertaken by Claremorris Historical Society and was the second of a series of planned plaques commemorating people from the region who have achieved distinction in various fields of activities over the years.

Cardinal D'Alton was Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All-Ireland from 1946 to 1963. He was born in Claremorris to Mary (nee Brennan) and Joseph D’Alton October 11, 1882, and died in Dublin on February 1, 1963, at the age of 80. He is interred in the grounds of St Patrick’s Cathedral in Armagh.

D’Alton Street in Claremorris was also named in his honour having previously being known for many years as Church Street in Claremorris.

Archbishop Duffy, a native of Bawnboy, Cavan, spoke at length about the life and times of Cardinal D’Alton from his days in Blackrock College as well as Holy Cross College in Clonliffe, UCD and the Irish College in Rome.

In 1952, Cardinal D’Alton became the first member of the Irish Hierarchy to receive an honorary degree from Queen's University, Belfast, when he was conferred with a Doctorate in Literature.

Adrianne Reidy, secretary of Claremorris Historical Society, extended a warm welcome to the large gathering who attended the ceremony. Among them were members of the Maguire, Keane and Brennan families, all of whom are related to the late Cardinal D’Alton.

She thanked everyone associated with bringing the project to fruition and to Eamon Hughes Marble and Granite Design for their work on the plaque that is now proudly displayed at the Dalton Hotel.

Colmán Ó Raghallaigh, who is chair of Claremorris Historical Society, expressed thanks to Archbishop Duffy for coming to Claremorris to preside at the ceremony and also for his reflections on the contribution of Cardinal D’Alton during his time as Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All-Ireland.