From Halifax to Fermoy to pay respects to Sam Lister

John Ryan does voluntary work at Shibden Hall in Halifax, West Yorkshire, England. Shibden Hall is the ancestral home of the Lister family, who resided there for about 400 years. Anne Lister, the renowned diarist, is the most well-known member of the family that lived at Shibden Hall. Anne’s brother Samuel (Sam) was an officer in the 84th Regiment of Foot of the British Army. He was stationed at Fermoy, Co. Cork, Ireland in 1812 and tragically accidentally drowned in the river Blackwater in 1813 at the age of 20. He was buried in Castlehyde graveyard, close to Fermoy, Co. Cork.

John, who is from Mallow originally, heard of the tragedy and arranged to visit Castlehyde graveyard, and the memorial to Sam Lister, on a visit home to Mallow. On behalf of the staff and volunteers at Shibden Hall, John placed flowers on Sam’s burial place. John was grateful to IrelandXO for help with locating the grave at Castlehyde.