Headstone to honour emigrant

THE first immigrant to arrive on America’s Ellis Island over a century ago is to finally get a headstone over her unmarked grave.

Annie Moore left Cobh, Co Cork, and on January 1, 1892, she became the first recorded arrival at Ellis Island in New York Harbour.

Statues of the teenage immigrant stand either side of the Atlantic — one on the quayside in Cobh featuring Annie and two siblings; the other at the Ellis Island Museum.

Two years ago it was discovered she was lying in an unmarked grave in Calvary Cemetery, in Queens.

Now, she is finally getting a headstone and a dedication ceremony will take place in the cemetery on Saturday, October 11.

Her great-granddaughter, Julia Devous, who lives in Phoenix, Arizona, said it will be a belated salute to her life.

The event is being organised by the Annie Moore Memorial Project.

Commissioner of Records for New York City, Brian Andersson, who helped uncover the true life story of Annie, and Ireland’s Consul General in New York, Niall Burgess, will attend.

The headstone is being carved in Co Clare by master carver Francis McCormack of Irish Natural Stone.