A family in the UK is 'totally delighted' after they were finally able to install a headstone with an Irish-language inscription at their mother's grave.
Margaret Keane passed away aged 73 in July 2018.
She was born in Ireland, but moved to the UK as a young girl and lived in Coventry until her death.
Her family wanted the words “In ár gcroíthe go deo” ("in our hearts forever") inscribed on her gravestone in the St Giles burial ground at Exhall, Coventry.
However, a Church of England judge ruled that the inscription must have an English translation alongside it so that it wouldn't be mistaken as a political statement.
Bernadette Martin, Margaret Keane’s daughter, told The Hard Shoulder the family is a ‘little bit exhausted’ after the three-year saga, but they're also relieved and delighted.
Explaining how the dispute came about, she said: “The application for the headstone was escalated to a Chancellor, who is a high court judge in charge of graveyard regulations. [It wasn’t] because of the inscription, but because of a slight issue with the shape of the headstone.
“[That issue] got sorted out, but he took umbrage with the Irish-only inscription.”
He ruled that the family had to have an English translation, claiming Irish on its own could be seen as a political statement or slogan.
Bernadette said: “We asked him to appeal his decision, and he denied us the appeal. We then had to go above to a higher court - the Dean of the Arches, who is the highest sitting judge - to ask for permission to appeal, and she granted us that.
“We’ve never really been given a full understanding of what [the original judge] meant, other than the wording in his original ruling."
'Long and emotional journey'
The family has now reached the end of a 'long and emotional journey', although Bernadette said they decided some time ago they were in the fight over the gravestone for the long haul.
A poignant end to our journey on this St Patrick’s Day sees mums headstone finally installed, today may mum finally rest in eternal peace. pic.twitter.com/JPvPqQgh1E
— Message To Margaret - Inár gcroí go deo (@My_Mums_Voice) March 17, 2021
She said: “Initially we thought we were liable for full court costs… which would have been thousands of pounds. That made us question whether we were doing the right thing or not.
"But at the end of the day we knew we were representing our mum and our dad, and as it turned out all of the Irish communities in England.
"We just knew we were doing the right thing by challenging what he said about the Irish language.”
The family was “surprised and overwhelmed” by the level of support they’ve received, including from Irish communities and GAA clubs in the UK.
Bernadette said they've "very grateful" to all the people who've supported them.
The headstone was installed on St Patrick’s Day, and it was ‘emotional and moving day’ for Bernadette's father and the family.
She believes it also gives them a sense of closure, three years after Margaret passed away.
Bernadette said: “I think my mum would be proud of us - patting us all on the back if she was here.
“Family was so important to mum, and her Irish heritage was so important. We know we’ve always had mum walking with us as we’ve been on this journey.”
