Lissarda monument to ‘missing' Mag Galvin

 By Kieran O’Mahony

A MONUMENT is to be unveiled in Lissarda on Sunday in honour of a local woman who disappeared without a trace, 73 years ago this month. 

The mystery over the disappearance of Margaret ‘Mag’ Galvin (72) has baffled locals for decades and despite extensive searches, she was never seen again, after her house was discovered burned to the ground.

On Friday October 13th 1944 Mag was a sprightly, single woman living alone at Gurranareigh, Lissarda, but as dawn broke the following morning, her cosy homestead was found burned to the ground. Mag had vanished from the face of the earth, thus initiating one of the most intriguing and unsolved mysteries in post-independence Ireland.

Despite extensive searches by locals, gardaí and members of the Local Defence Force, she was not found and the mystery remains to this day. The site where Mag lived was purchased by the neighbouring O’Sullivan family in recent years, and it was the wish of the late Joe O’Sullivan that she should be remembered.

It was decided that a simple and dignified monument be erected, not only to keep her memory alive, but also to remind younger people, now and in the future, of some of the less savoury aspects of rural Ireland in decades past.

The unveiling of the monument at 3pm will be performed by Monsignor Kevin O’Callaghan, whose mother actually hailed from Gurranareigh. All are welcome. 

Meanwhile, the Coppeen Archaeological Historical & Cultural society are gearing up for the launch of their new book later this month. 

Coppeen – A Glimpse of the Past Volume IV will be launched in An Caipín Bar in Coppeen on Sunday October 29th at 3pm.