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Originally Photographed October 2026
PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE MOUNT ST LAWRENCE CEMETERY
The Urban Cartographer Presents:
Photographed By William Murphy Using A Sony A7RVI
The octagonal spire monument at Mount St Lawrence Cemetery, Limerick, commemorates the distinguished Shanahan brothers—high-ranking Catholic churchmen and domestic prelates honoured with the title Reverendissimus (R.mo) and depicted in episcopal-style clerical vestments, complete with mozzetta and Roman collar.
Framed by polished granite colonnettes and carved relief portrait busts, the structure serves as a combined family burial plot and memorial cenotaph. The Latin inscription carved along the base confirms their sibling bond and dedicatory intent: "HOC MONUMENTUM, FRATRES DEVOTISSIMI, FIERI FECERUNT"
("This monument their most devoted brothers caused to be made.")
The Shanahan Brothers
Very Rev. Timothy R. Shanahan (R.mo Timotheo R. Shanahan)
Right Rev. Monsignor Gerald Augustine Shanahan (R.mo Giraldo Augustino Shanahan)
The Third Brother
Latin Transcription: Panel for Rev. Denis R. Shanahan R.MO DIONYSIO R. SHANAHAN QUI IN HAC DIOEC. PER QUINQUAGINTA ANNOS STRENUE SANCTEQUE ADMINISTRAVIT. PER MULTOS ANNOS UT FIDELIS PASTOR PAROECIAS DE ASKEATON, ST. PATR. ET STAE. MARIAE IN URBE MULTO CUM FRUCTU REXIT. LABORIBUS TANDEM INFIRMITATIBUSQUE CONFECTUS, NOVISSIMA QUO SECURIUS PROVIDERET ONUS PASTORALE MAERENS ABDICAVIT. SACR. ECCL. SACRAMENTIS MUNITUS PIE IN DOMINO REQUIEVIT. NATUS 1845. PRESBYTER 1868. MORTUUS 19...
Ecclesiastical Context: Commemorates Father Denis (Dionysius) Shanahan, who ministered within the Diocese of Limerick (in hac dioecesi) for half a century. Parish Appointments: Notes his pastoral governance over the parishes of Askeaton, St Patrick’s, and St Mary’s in Limerick city (in urbe). Formulaic Phrasing: Uses classical Catholic funerary formulae such as Sacr[ae] Eccl[esiae] sacramentis munitus ("fortified by the sacraments of Holy Church") and pie in Domino requievit ("piously rested in the Lord").
English Translation: Panel for Rev. Denis R. Shanahan To the Very Reverend Denis R. Shanahan, who in this diocese for fifty years ministered strenuously and holily. For many years, as a faithful pastor, he governed with great fruit the parishes of Askeaton, St Patrick, and St Mary in the city. Worn out at last by labours and infirmities, so that he might more securely prepare for his final hour, he sorrowfully laid down his pastoral charge. Fortified by the sacraments of Holy Church, he piously rested in the Lord. Born 1845. Ordained Priest 1868.
Register & Tone: Formatted in formal memorial English, reflecting the solemn and reverent ecclesiastical style of the Latin inscription. Biographical Details: Highlights his 50 years of active ministry (per quinquaginta annos) before resigning his pastoral duties due to failing health (laboribus tandem infirmitatibusque confectus). Linguistic Note: Novissima quo securius provideret literally means "that he might more securely make provision for the last things" (i.e. spiritual preparation for death).
Base Inscription: Sibling Dedication HOC MONUMENTUM, FRATRES DEVOTISSIMI, FIERI FECERUNT.
Grammatical Structure: Standard Roman dedicatory syntax using the causative construction fieri fecerunt ("caused [this] to be made" / "had erected"). Translation: "This monument their most devoted brothers caused to be made."