A family with Irish roots living in the UK had to go to “church court” so they could get permission to inscribe a headstone with a a well known Irish saying.
Previously a judge had ruled that the Irish language phrase could not be included on the headstone of Margaret Keane without including an English translation reports the Metro.
The Chancellor of the Diocese of Coventry decreed that the words ‘in ár gcroíthe go deo’, which translates as ‘in our hearts forever’, would not be understandable to many and could be misinterpreted as a political slogan.
The Irish Language ban was not consistent as other untranslated inscriptions in languages including Hebrew, Latin and Welsh feature on other gravestones in the churchyard.
Born in Ireland, Margaret Keane received the GAA’s International Award in 2018. She had given ‘a lifetime of unselfish service and dedication’ to the association.
She died suddenly in hospital on July 29, 2018, aged 73.
In the last hour, it’s been confirmed that the slogan has gotten the go ahead and can be inscribed on the tombstone.
Tell us your thoughts in the Facebook post and share this with your friends.