Irish Blue Limestone to be Used for Memorial — Cardinal Egan and NY Archdiocese Grant Special Waiver for Use at Calvary Cemetery

The Steering Committee's first preference was to use a stone that originated in Ireland, just as Annie did. After much research on types of stone, where they came from, availability, costs and the cemetery plot specifications provided largely by Michael Gonzalez of Divine Monuments in Queens, New York, we had our heart set on using beautiful Irish Blue Limestone quarried on the Emerald Isle. Irish Natural Stone, Inc., of Boston, was contacted to provide more information about the feasibility of using this stone and preliminary design and budget feedback. Geraldine O'Donnell and Robert Spencer with Irish Natural Stone, Inc, were excited to inform us that Irish Blue Limestone had been used in the of creation the $5 million Ireland Hunger Memorial Project in Battery Park, New York City in 2001, and it would be fitting for another important Irish-American heritage project such as the Annie Moore headstone.

With more inquiries we found out that due to many considerations Calvary Cemetery only allows the use of granite for gravesite monuments. While this was disappointing news, and a mild setback, we hoped to overcome this challenge. With the technical assistance and specifications provided by Robert Spencer of Irish Natural Stone and Juergen Riehm of 1100 Architects (who was involved with the Ireland Hunger Memorial) and the support of Brian Andersson, Commissioner of Records for the City of New York, we made a special appeal to Cardinal Egan of the Archdiocese of New York to consider an exception to the cemetery regulation.

We are very pleased and excited to announce that in late December we received a letter from George Borrero, Managing Director of the Archdiocese of New York, on behalf of His Eminence and the senior staff stating that "because of the historic nature of your request, an exception will be made as to permit an Irish limestone high quality tombstone on the grave of Annie Moore." We are most grateful to His Eminence for his support, and are delighted to be able to proceed with the Irish stone.

Irish Natural Stone, Inc. of Boston and Ireland's Master Carver Francis McCormack Selected for Monument Creation

Now with permission to use Irish Blue Limestone, the Committee has proceeded to formalize the selection of Irish Natural Stone, Inc. of Boston to obtain the stone and produce the monument. We are further thrilled to announce that Francis McCormack, the master carver for Irish Natural Stone Products, Ltd. in Ireland, has agreed to create the Annie Moore monument. Irish Natural Stone, Inc., is the single largest importer of stone from Ireland to the United States. Award winning master craftsman Francis McCormack is world-renowned for his stunning and intricate carvings, and provided all of the Irish stone used in the Ireland Hunger Memorial in New York City. The monument, once carved in Ireland, will be shipped to New York for installation. Divine Monuments in Queens, New York, will oversee the installation of the monument on the site at Calvary Cemetery.
With the involvement of these world-class artisans and professionals we are confident that the Annie Moore Memorial will be an outstanding legacy that the Irish and American communities and you, our project supporters, will be very proud of for years to come.

New York County Cork BP&P Association Agrees to Host Dedication Celebration

When the monument production is completed, the Steering Committee is planning to hold a dedication event and ceremony for the installation of the memorial at Calvary Cemetery. As many of you know, Annie Moore really did live in Cork City and originate from County Cork. The New York County Cork Benevolent Patriotic and Protective Association has been a project supporter since the September 15 announcement of the "real story" of Annie Moore. Coincidentally, the Cork social hall is located across the street from Calvary Cemetery in Queens. President Dan McCarthy has indicated that the board has approved the involvement of the Cork Association in hosting a celebration at the hall following the dedication at the cemetery. Details will be worked out in the near future as we know more about possible dates and plans get underway, but at this time we wish to express our appreciation to the Cork Association for their support and willingness to play an important role in the celebration.

Project Budget and Goals

With the memorial design planning now complete, we have been able to formulate solid project cost estimates. The projected budget goal is $25,000. To date we have secured a little over $3,000 in cash gifts and pledges, with $22,000 remaining to be raised through additional contributions. In addition, we have received over $7,000 in in-kind support for graphic design, printing services and office/meeting support.

Budget Itemization

The project was officially launched in March 2007 at the New York City St. Patrick's Day festivities. It is our hope that we will reach the goal of $25,000 cash contributions and pledges in time to announce this successful effort at the 2008 St. Patrick's Day festivities.

Goal: Raise $25,000 by St. Patrick's Day 2008

Irish Natural Stone, Inc. has indicated that they are able to create and ship the monument from Ireland to New York within a 3-4 month turnaround time depending on shipment schedules. Once the fund raising goal is met, we will be able to commence with the memorial production and schedule a proposed date for the installation/dedication event and celebration.

It's Time to "Ante Up for Annie!"

We hope that you are excited about the plans for the Annie Moore Memorial Project. We would like to thank the individuals and businesses who have already made contributions to the project. And, now we need your help. Here's how you can assist us:

  "Ante Up for Annie!" Campaign: We invite twenty (20) Irish, American or Irish-American companies, organizations or individuals to provide leadership for this project by contributing a minimum $1,000 gift. Each "Ante Up for Annie" donor will receive two invitations to the dedication ceremony and celebration. Can we count on your support? Contact great-granddaughter Julia Devous, project fundraising chair, at julia@anniemoore.net or 623-297-2206 to be placed on the "Ante Up" pledge honor roll.

  Make a Gift: Cash contributions of any amount are needed and appreciated. You may make a gift today by downloading the project gift form from our web site at www.anniemoore.net. Help us reach our fundraising goal by St. Patrick's Day - please consider making a contribution today.

 Share the Information: We know the Irish-American community is a large and informal network. Please pass this information on to your friends, associates or your organization's members who you feel may be interested in supporting the project. Or simply refer supporters to us and we'll contact them.

 Hold a Fundraiser: Your Irish club or association can help us with the fund raising effort. You might simply hold a raffle or dedicate an event to Annie Moore and forward the proceeds to our project.

 Present an AMMP Speaker: Are you looking for an interesting and unique program or speaker for your organization or business? Present an informational program about the discovery of the real Annie Moore and the Memorial Project as a benefit for the project. Members of the AMMP steering committee, including direct descendants, are available to make a presentation for a nominal stipend contribution to the project and travel expenses.

The Annie Moore Memorial Project is a sponsored project of the Irish Cultural and Learning Foundation in Phoenix, Arizona, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Contributions are fully tax-deductible as permitted by federal and state law. Contact us at info@anniemoore.net or at one of the phone numbers listed below.

We appreciate your interest in this unique and important American and Irish heritage project, and thank you for your continued and future support.