THE HANDSTAND

SEPTEMBER 2002

THE OMINOUS REMARK

As a young boy my Father often delivered telegrams to Woodstock and the other big houses surrounding Inistioge. On one occasion, on his way home from Lambert's of Dysartmore, he was joined by a strange man with a walking cane. He was also walking towards Inistioge. He asked my Father did he mind if he walked along with him? My Father replied "No", and that he would be delighted with the company.As they walked along my father learned from him that he was from New Ross and that he was out for a walk.

When they reached the New Ross Gates at Brownsford, my Father suggested that they take a short cut through the woods. The pathway would take them out at Woodstock, which was much shorter than going all around by the road. At first the stranger declined, saying he did not like going near any of the big houses; but when my Father assured him they would not be going near the big house, but that they would break out at what is now the Car Park, and that they would pass well to the lower side, and clear of the big house, the man agreed to go with him.

Having come through the woods, they passed through Woodstock Farmyard Gates, and came up along to where that roadway joins what was then the main Avenue leading up to the big house. Then they stopped and the stranger turned and looked back at Woodstock House. Having looked for awhile, he turned to my Father and said, "Young Man - you see that great house there now in all its splendour and glory....With its magnificent Gardens, and well tended Lawns and Avenues." "Yes." my Father replied. " Well," he said, "You will see the day when the grass will grow up around the door there. I will not live to see it, but you will."

They then continued on walking down towards Inistioge and as they came down through the village the stranger bade goodbye to my father, and then he turned into Phelan's Pub. My father went home feeling confused, wondering who this stranger was, and unable to comprehend how such a thing as he has prophesied in 1908 could ever come to pass.

On making enquiries, he found out that the stranger was none other than Father Finn, a Silenced Priest from New Ross, who was renowned for the Wisdom and Power he possessed, of whom many amazing stories are told, even up to the present day.

Eddie Cody©Aug 2002