In a graveyard in Wexford is a family headstone. Many names are listed but one date stands out among the others – Christmas Eve 1922, when a mother – Alice O’Neill – and her seven children all died on the same day.
They all died in a fire that was to haunt a community and shape a family for generations. The fire left only one survivor from the family – eight year old ‘little Molly’ – to carry on the family’s history.
“Family Wiped Out. Awful Tragedy Near Gorey. Widow and seven children burned to death. Question of Malice” read the headline of The Free Press on Saturday December 30th 1922.
After the fire, the coroner held a hearing in the local pub. Eighteen jurors gathered to try to decide had the fire been started out of malice. Had somebody deliberately crept around the back of the house and set fire to a rick of hay which then spread to the main house, setting the thatched roof alight and setting the whole house ablaze?
In the months leading up to the fire, other mysterious things had happened on the farm – potatoes were reportedly pulled up, the meadow-field was ‘spiked’ so that machinery working the field was damaged.
But could somebody have started this devastating fire deliberately?
That eight year old survivor – ‘Little Molly’ – went on to marry and have her own children – now her family tell Molly’s story.
“Little Molly O’Neill – A Survivor’s Story ” was made and presented by Pat Shine.
Production supervision was by Nicoline Greer.
Sound supervision was by Damian Chennells.
The voice of the reporter was by Enda Oates.
“Chuadar Siar’s Aníar ar na Sraideanna” was sung by Kate Barry.
1800 – 1845
First broadcast 18th February 2012.