Sarah Curran facts for kids
Sarah Curran (born 1782, died 5 May 1808) was a famous Irish woman. She was the youngest daughter of John Philpot Curran, a well-known lawyer in Ireland. Her father often defended people who were part of the Society of United Irishmen, a group working for Irish independence. Sarah is best known for being the true love of Robert Emmet, an Irish patriot. He was executed in 1803 for trying to change the government.
Her Early Life and Love Story
Sarah Curran was born in Newmarket, County Cork. She grew up at a place called The Priory in Rathfarnham. Sarah met Robert Emmet through her brother, Richard. Richard and Robert were students together at Trinity College in Dublin.
Sarah's father did not think Robert Emmet was a good match for her. Because of this, Sarah and Robert had to keep their relationship a secret. They exchanged letters and met in secret. They even became secretly engaged in 1803.
When her father found out about their engagement, he was very upset. Sarah had to go and stay with friends in Cork. Some historians say her father sent her to Cork to make sure she was safe and cared for during this hard time.
Robert Emmet led a rebellion against British rule in 1803. This rebellion did not succeed. Robert was later put on trial and executed for acting against his country.
Life After Robert Emmet
After Robert Emmet's death, Sarah was still in Cork. She met Captain Henry Sturgeon, who was a relative of a powerful leader. Sarah and Henry got married in November 1805.
They moved to Sicily, an island where Captain Sturgeon was working. Sarah had a baby boy named John, but sadly, he died when he was only one month old. Sarah Sturgeon herself died on 5 May 1808. She passed away from a serious illness called tuberculosis.
Sarah had wanted to be buried in her father's garden in Rathfarnham. She wanted to be next to her sister Gertrude, who had died young. However, her father did not agree to this wish. Sarah was buried in her father's hometown of Newmarket, County Cork.
Remembered Today
Many people have been inspired by Sarah Curran's story.
Washington Irving, a famous American writer, wrote about Sarah and Robert's love. He included their story in his book The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon, Gent.. He used their story to show how a broken heart can be very sad.
The Irish poet Thomas Moore was also inspired by Sarah. He wrote popular songs like "She Is Far from the Land" and "Oh Breathe Not His Name!" He also wrote a long poem called Lalla Rookh.
Here are some lines from "She Is Far from the Land": She is far from the land where her young hero sleeps, And lovers around her are sighing, But coldly she turns from their gaze, and weeps, For her heart in his grave is lying.
Today, a road in Rathfarnham is named Sarah Curran Avenue. It runs past Saint Enda's Park. The old ruins of The Priory, where Sarah grew up, can still be seen across the road.
There was once a pub in Rathfarnham Village called The Sarah Curran, named in her honor.
In her family's hometown of Newmarket, County Cork, there is a statue of Sarah Curran. It stands across the road from the graveyard where she is buried.
Newmarket also has a local song called Up Up Newmarket. Sarah Curran is mentioned in the song's words.
Amelia Clotilda Jennings also wrote a poem about her, called "Sarah Curran's Song."
See also
- Irish Rebellion of 1803
