Thirtieth anniversary of death of John M Heuston OP

Thirty years ago today Fr John M Heuston died in the Dominican Priory at San Clemente in Rome.

John was a scholar, with a special interest in mathematics. He was an eccentric man but terribly kind.

In so many ways he was 'light years' ahead of his time.

His brother, John, took part in the 1916 Rising and subsequently executed. There is a bust of John at Heuston Station. He worked for the railway before his execution.  In 1966, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the 1916 Rising, CIE renamed all it rail stations after people linked to the Rising and Kingsbridge was renamed Heuston Station to honour John Heuston.

Until approximately 1998 older locomotive drivers continued to write 'Kingsbridge' in their log books.

When Michael Heuston joined the Dominican Order he was given the name John, hence the confusion with names.

The young Dominican novice was given permission to visit his brother in Kilmainham Gaol shortly before his execution.