|
|
Hanna Greally
Johanna Greally was born
in Athlone in 1925. The family lived on the corner of Pearse
Street and Connolly Street where Higgins Lounge is now. Neighbours
remember her as a quiet girl but something happened at nineteen
which resulted in her being admitted to a mental hospital.
For over twenty years, always convinced of her sanity, Hanna
Greally was an inmate in St. Loman's Hospital, Mullingar.
She eventually
negotiated her own release and chose to live near Roscommon
where she devoted her life to writing and gardening. She died
in 1987 and is buried in Cornamagh cemetery. |
|
Her book 'Bird's Nest Soup' which is of course autobiographic became
a best-seller. It was published in 1971. The book gives a gripping
picture of life in a provincial asylum. Through the visits of her
much loved mother she retained a link with normality and the hopes
for eventual freedom.
Despite the experiences it describes the book lacks bitterness it
is full of humanity and compassion and truly a minor master-piece.
Higgin's public house located on the corner of Pearse Street and Connolly
Street (opposite Athlone Garda Station) marks the birthplace of Hanna
Greally. The Athlone Architectural Heritage Group would like to sincerely
thank Mrs Eileen Parker
(Hannah's cousin) for kindly supplying and allowing us to publish
the above photos of Hannah.
Back
Copyright © 2008 Athlone Architectural Heritage Group
|
|
