Search for hero Irish giant's bones rocked by DNA twist
The expensive excavation project to bring Irish historical hero Patrick Sarsfield back home to Ireland needs an urgent investment of funds, it has emerged.
Some supporters fear it could be in danger of stalling due to finances - leaving organisers hoping for a rich benefactor or a private company to step in. Sarsfield, the 1st Earl of Lucan, famously led the resistance of Irish Catholics in Limerick against England's King William III in 1690. The Irish Mirror reported in 2022 that excavations to find the skeletal remains of 17th Century earl Patrick, who was literally a giant of his age, measuring an estimated 6' 6', was to begin in Belgium.
Limerick University's Dr Loic Guyon, who founded the Sarsfield Homecoming Project in 2020, said: "We hope to raise around €45,000, with a minimum of €20,000 by mid-August, at the latest. I hope someone with means, or a private company, might read the press articles and offer to help us to keep the project going as the amount of funding still needed to complete it is quite significant.'
Dr Guyon explained: 'The cost of the operation is unfortunately going to be much higher than anticipated. Instead of [the original cost] sum for €40,000, additional measures will now require approximately €70,000."
Dr Guyon said: 'Fortunately, we recently received a very generous donation from a company based in Limerick. We currently have about €54,000 left in our budget. But it is not enough to pay for the works or the many trips and tests that our team will need. We hope that we might be able to raise the further €45,000 which we estimate necessary to pay the building company and complete the project.
'We are at a critical point of the project. If we don't manage to raise an absolute minimum of €20,000 by mid-August at the latest, the Sarsfield Homecoming Project will be stalled for the first time since its launch in 2020.' He added: 'Hundreds of people have kindly donated to the project via our Go Fund Me Page.' The Go Fund Me Page called Help Us Bring Patrick Sarsfield Back to Ireland has a €70,000 fundraising goal and has so far raised €24,855. You can visit the page here.
Historians say Sarsfield prevented the total destruction of Limerick – which has named a bridge, a bank and a square in his honour – before he fled to France with King James Stuart II after the 1690 Battle of the Boyne. In France, Sarsfield became Field Marshal of the army of King Louis XIV and died fighting in 1693 during the battle of Landen-Neerwinden and is buried in Huy, Belgium.
His exact burial location has been a mystery for hundreds of years but Loic Guyon, the Honorary Consul of France to Ireland, launched an extraordinary project in 2020 to find his resting place. Dr Guyon found a first mention of the death of Earl Lucan Sarsfield in a document of August 13, 1693, that specified that he died from his injuries in Huy 'where he had been taken'.
He believes Sarsfield was buried in the grounds of the old Saint-Martin church, which is to be an abandoned housing area, and has pinpointed the grave site at 21 Avenue des Fossés. The entire avenue was bought by the authorities of Huy to transform it into a future administrative centre – but have agreed first to carry out an archaeological dig of the site.
Agreement has already been reached that if the remains in Huy are that of Sarsfield, then he will be repatriated to Limerick. To get the DNA, Dr Guyon mapped the Sarsfield family tree to trace his descendants and found Timothy Sarsfield in Cork whose DNA has been provided to allow genetic matching.
However, there was disappointing news last week when DNA tests produced an unexpected setback. Male skeletal remains which were discovered at the Huy site in January were found to be those of local men.
Dr Guyon said: 'One of them was particularly tall, especially for that period, which made us think that he could have been Patrick Sarsfield. But the DNA results are clear. None of the two skeletons was that of an Irishman.' Dr Guyon now hopes that the search can be expanded to the back garden of the church after Huy City Council granted permission to his team. He said: 'This represents a big challenge in administrative, financial and technical terms.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Journal
41 minutes ago
- The Journal
Cost of milk and beef sees Irish farm produce prices rise faster than anywhere in EU
IRELAND RECORDED THE sharpest rate of increase in agricultural produce prices in the EU in the first quarter of this year, the bloc's statistical agency Eurostat has said. Irish agricultural prices were up an eye-watering 19.3% compared with the same period of 2024. The average increase across the EU was just 2.6%. With prices in Irish supermarkets for beef, milk and butter all rising fast – 2 litres of milk, for example, was up 27c in a year in May – it's another example of the pressure on Irish consumers. Eurostat data released earlier this week showed Ireland is the second most expensive country in the EU, after Denmark, taking into account a wide array of household costs including housing, transport, energy and clothing, as well as food. Ireland also topped the table as the most expensive country in which to drink or smoke. Agricultural price rises: that's Ireland with the big blue bar there on the far left. Eurostat Eurostat Why are prices rising? So why are farm-produced foods – staples of our grocery baskets and the cornerstone of the food industry – increasing in price so rapidly? Agricultural economists say there are a few factors at play. The rise in milk prices across the EU – 12.6% on average – will skew Ireland's figure upwards, given the dairy sector's centrality to the total value of the agriculture sector in Ireland. Julian Worley, a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Galway, pointed out that Ireland also doesn't produce many items in the categories where prices fell – olive oil for example. Across Europe, potato prices also fell, while prices for eggs and cereals rose. Worley added that prices are probably being driven up by chaos in world markets, including the uncertainty caused by US trade war threats and tariffs. Most Irish dairy is exported. Last year was also a hard year for production weather-wise, and the resulting increase in costs is reflected in prices. Advertisement Context for Irish price rises Tadhg Buckley, chief economist at the Irish Farmers' Association (IFA), said the recent increase in Irish food prices needs to be considered in a wider context: over a longer-term horizon such as the past 20 years, food price growth has significantly lagged general inflation. We have become accustomed to relatively cheap food. Buckley added that while it's true that Irish agricultural prices have increased faster than in the rest of the EU, in absolute terms, farm-gate milk prices remain slightly below the EU average. Farm-gate prices are what farmers receive. Supply and demand are also at play. There was a reduction of over 200,000 in the number of cows in Ireland in the year to December 2024, with the decrease more pronounced in beef herds. At the same time, a wider shortage of supply across the UK – the market for around half of Ireland's beef – and Europe has driven up prices. Buckley added that price inflation may have slowed since the first-quarter period Eurostat's figures covered, with farm gate prices for both beef and dairy down slightly in April and May. How are consumers responding? Damian O'Reilly, a lecturer in retail management at TU Dublin, said data from market research firm Kantar shows Irish consumers are changing their shopping habits in response to higher prices, in particular by becoming more responsive to deals and offers. 'Let's say steaks are on offer, [consumers] buy today and maybe put them in the freezer,' O'Reilly said. 'People are shopping more discriminately than they were before. They are more aware of the money they're spending. They're not buying as much on impulse as they were.' He added that this is one of the reasons supermarkets are price matching to their competitors and proclaiming these price matches to customers with in-store labels and marketing. Are farmers benefitting from higher prices? 'I think farmers are seeing a benefit,' Worley said. 'But it is coming on the back of higher production costs for several years that were squeezing their margins, as well as a few bad production years when costs were higher.' 'So, it's a bit of catching back up or catching a breath, rather than a true benefit.' Buckley, of the IFA, agreed that while the price increases will help dairy and beef farmers, for the latter in particular, it's an increase from a low base. Next week, agricultural research agency Teagasc will publish its latest data on farmers' incomes, for 2024. Buckley expects the data to show an improvement, but will still show that the average farmer is not making that much. The most recent Teagasc data, for 2023, showed the average dairy farm income was €49,000, while for sheep it was less than €12,000 and for suckler beef just €7,400. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
The Irish Sun
2 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Ireland is 2nd dearest spot in Europe & is getting more expensive – but consumers aren't powerless to hunt for value
ANYONE who has recently stood in a supermarket queue, filled up their tank or received an energy bill will tell you that Ireland is an expensive place. And now, new data from Eurostat confirms it. 4 Ireland is the second most expensive country in the EU Credit: Getty Images - Getty 4 Ireland has the second-highest alcohol prices in the EU Credit: Getty Images - Getty 4 Daragh Cassidy insists consumers aren't powerless despite the high costs In fact, we are the second most costly country in the entire Only But while the Danes at least benefit from generous public services, good public transport and clean streets, Here, Daragh Cassidy of comparison site asks why Ireland is so expensive – and considers what can be done to bring prices down. WHAT is quite striking about Eurostat's figures is how far we seem to be drifting from the European average each year. In 2015, our prices were 28 per cent above average, but the gap seems to be widening almost every year. And we're no longer just more expensive than our Mediterranean neighbours. We've leapfrogged traditionally costly countries like Finland, Let's start with the obvious — Ireland has the second highest alcohol prices in the EU — almost 198 per cent the average. Only REASON FOR HIGH COST Much of this is due to high government taxation and the recent introduction of minimum unit pricing. The cost of food and non-alcoholic drink is also relatively high in Ireland. Our However, this is actually an improvement on recent years. In 2020, our prices were over 21 per cent above average, but that's probably not much comfort to households. Dining out and hotel stays are pricey, too, with costs nearly 30 per cent above the EU average. 'HARVEY NORMAN EFFECT' Mobile and broadband services? A jaw-dropping 40 per cent higher. There are a few positives, though! Our clothing costs are slightly below the EU average, and the 'Harvey Norman effect' keeps the cost of household appliances and furnishings somewhat in check. These small wins, though, are dwarfed by the overall trend: Ireland is an expensive place to live. But why? NO EASY ANSWER There is no single answer. And some reasons are complex and structural. But factors which contribute to our high cost of living include a lack of competition in certain sectors and high taxation on goods such as tobacco, alcohol, petrol and Low government subsidies in areas such as public transport and childcare compared to our In addition, businesses are faced with high insurance and energy costs which then get passed on to consumers. MORE IMPROVEMENTS So what can be done? Ireland is unlikely to ever be a cheap country — nor should we aim to be. High prices often go hand in hand with high living standards. It should be noted that most of the countries with the highest standards of living in the world (such as INCOME ISSUE But the problem is that Irish incomes, while high, don't quite match the salaries in these countries. We have Danish prices, but wages closer to Taxpayers in more expensive countries tend to get back more from the government in terms of better and more affordable So what now? The SHOP AROUND Regulators such as ComReg and the CRU need sharper teeth and stronger mandates to tackle anti-competitive practices. And a Minister for Consumer Affairs could help ensure consumer interests are more consistently championed at government level. But consumers aren't powerless. By shopping around and switching providers for everything from electricity and insurance to broadband, households can claw back hundreds of euro a year. Ireland may never be a bargain destination, but that doesn't mean we can't find better value. 4 Grocery prices are the third highest in the EU, at nearly 15 per cent above average Credit: Getty Images - Getty
Extra.ie
2 hours ago
- Extra.ie
This is how much Ireland's Euromillions winner will earn in interest alone
The mystery winner of Ireland's largest-ever €250m EuroMillions windfall will earn €5m a year in interest without even spending a cent of their newfound mega-fortune. Financial experts this weekend said even Ireland's notoriously stingy banks would pay 2% interest on the massive winnings. And even if they don't opt to squirrel away their fortune in a high-interest Swiss bank account, the 2% Irish rate would still earn the winner a princely €416,667 every month on €250 million, or €5,000,000 a year. In Co. Cork, Ireland, the winning €250 million EuroMillions ticket was located last week. Pic: Shutterstock At the stroke of a pen – or a computer-generated quick-pick – the newly minted lottery winner has landed almost half of U2 frontman Bono's personal fortune, or a shade less than golf Grand Slam hero Rory McIlroy's reported €280m earnings. It's likely the elated lottery winner will blow at least a portion of their megabucks windfall on a new home, a holiday or a toy. If it's the latter, a Mercedes-Benz S-Class will set them back a mere €242,655. Or if they fancy themselves more of a high-flyer, every billionaire's 'must-have' toy – a Gulfstream jet – would cost around €70m. Mercedes S-Class. Pic: Getty Images However, the winner could probably afford to splash out around €9.5 million for an 11-seater Pilatus PC-24, though it would be more sensible to hire one as needed. Chartering a Pilatus PC-24 from Dublin to the south of France would cost €10,474 – mere pocket change to the winner, whoever they are. As they mull over their life-changing windfall, the rumour mill over the identity of Ireland's biggest-ever lottery winner was in overdrive yesterday. Pilatus PC-24 Pic: NICOLAS MESSYASZ/SIPA/Shutterstock (15365121a) Anyone who walks into the Centra shop on Cork's Shandon Street, where the winning ticket was sold this week, is a likely suspect. And the manager of the city centre shop, run by three generations of the Clifford family, said Cork's finest sleuths are determined to crack the still-unsolved mystery. Simon Champ told 'It's like a small town in the middle of the city here and it would be very hard to keep it a secret long in an area like this. Simon Champ. Pic: Seán Dwyer 21/06/25 'I don't know who the winner is and we're trying to enjoy the buzz and the craic,' he said. 'So, anyone who comes in over the next few weeks with a new shirt, a new watch or a new hairstyle or haircut, we'll be looking at them and asking: 'How can you afford that?'' Mr Champ added that, for whoever has landed the windfall, 'this is a real opportunity for someone to do something for their community.' He jokingly added: 'As long as it isn't Elon Musk, we're happy.' On Thursday evening, the owners of the busy shop in the heart of Cork city were notified they had sold the winning ticket. The National Lottery. Pic: Artur Widak/NurPhoto/Shutterstock Mr Champ recalled: 'The National Lottery rang us on Thursday evening. The owner, Ted Clifford, is on holiday, so I then got a phone call. 'It was around six or half six in the evening, and I was in the car on my way home to Fermoy. 'I thought it was a wind-up. I thought it was someone scamming me. But when the person explained who they were, I had to pull in the car for a few minutes.' While the identity of the winner is not yet known, they have been in contact with the National Lottery head office in Dublin. They have 90 days to collect their quarter of a billion fortune – and until they do, the guessing game continues in the close-knit neighbourhood around Shandon Street. Esther Cotter, who works at the Homer pub just a few doors up from Clifford's shop, is a regular lottery player, but insisted she is not the €250m winner. She said: 'We haven't a notion who it is. Everyone is hoping it is someone local. You couldn't keep that quiet here.' Her pal Noelle Nagle agreed, and she's hopeful the windfall will be collected by someone whose life will change for the better. 'We hope that it's someone that needs it. It isn't us,' adding she heard the €250m winning ticket was bought for €7. Local Sinn Féin TD Thomas Gould also said it's only a matter of time before the winner's identity becomes known, if they are local. Mr Gould, whose constituency office is just across the road from Clifford's shop, told 'No one has an idea who it is. Whoever it is, I just wish them all the best. It's an enormous amount of money. 'Clifford's is a real local shop on Shandon Street, and people are delighted we have had such a big win in our local shop. It's something that would be very hard to keep a secret here because everyone knows everyone, and there are great friendships and neighbours here. 'It's probably someone local who has won,' he added. Meanwhile, one of the few people on Shandon Street yesterday who was not trying to guess the identity of the new multimillionaire was three-year-old Loug from Youghal, Co. Cork. He and his granny Mary Cooper arrived at Clifford's after hopping on the bus in their home town and wandered into the shop on Shandon Street after spotting a display of balloons erected to celebrate the €250m win. They may not be the Lotto millionaires, but little Loug still walked away a winner with a free ice cream cone given to him by shop manager Simon. Loug's granny, Mary, said: 'We head off every Saturday together to go to all these free things, and we came to the shop because Loug loves balloons. 'I think it's great. I hope it's a group of people who have won because I think they might be happier in the long run. 'We came for the Shandon Festival and the manager told us where to go and he gave Loug a free ice cream cone,' she said.
