Begin Mariott’s ‘History of French Revolution’, entitled ‘The Making of Modern Europe’. Do not find it quite as interesting as was expected, but this may be my unacquaintance with his rather condensed style. Go to Gerard Shanahan’s concert. ((Gerard Shanahan was a Cork pianist, a pupil of Tilly Fleischmann’s at the Cork School of Music. He began giving public performances as a boy, and went on to become head of the piano section of the School after Fleischmann resigned from the School in 1937. He was later to perform with the Radio Éireann and Cork Symphony Orchestras, and to give recitals for the University Art Society, on occasion with his violinist brother.)) Quite a success. – ‘Ingratitude, thou marble-hearted monster.’ On returning from school, find Mammy and Pappy terribly upset on account of the sudden death of poor Father Ryan, M.A., one of Pappy’s best pupils. He was a young, enthusiastic and beautiful priest, and simple as a child. Having been to the concert on Sunday, he was rather tired after class on the next day, and on Tuesday, died unexpectedly from heart-failure. Just before, he had been giving other African Missioner priests a little lecture on the ‘Walpurgis Nacht’, such was his enthusiasm for the concert. Pappy attended requiem and funeral. He was a really beautiful character. Requiescat in pace!
