Brendan McNamara: Cork’s greatest philanthropist — Isabella Honan’s bequest

The Honan Chapel at UCC, Cork. Picture: Dan Linehan

ISABELLA Honan died in August, 110 years ago. Her family’s crypt in St Finbarre’s cemetery in Cork, where she was laid to rest, has recently undergone a splendid restoration.

Despite being recognised as the benefactor of the famous Honan Chapel at University College Cork, very little is known or has been written about her and her extraordinary benevolence.