14/08/2025
On this day in 1899, Florence Kate Carrol made the difficult decision to leave her newborn son behind in Lissenhall House, Co Tipperary, while she was to accompany her husband, Philip Scott on a journey to South Africa.
Philip Scott was a soldier in the British Forces and was due to serve in South Africa during the Boer War (1899 - 1902).
Believing that this war was going to be rather short, Florence Kate leaves 2 month old Anthony O'Carrol Scott behind to be cared for by his aunts in Co Tipperary as she and Philip make the 9,000km journey to South Africa.
She will not see her son for another 3 years.
The exerpt from her diary on 14th August 1899 reads:
"I cried all night going home, as I had to decide in a few minutes whether I would go to S.A with Phil, or stay with Tony."
Some personal items belonging to Florence Kate Carrol, Philip Scott's military medals, along with the gift that little Anthony receives upon his parent's eventual return can be found as part of the Carrol Collection, located in the basement of the People's Museum of Limerick.
The Carrol Collection celebrates five generations of the O'Carroll family, containing unique items dating as far back as 1730.
