A British museum is being urged to release the skeletal body of a real “Irish Giant” so he can have his dying wish to be buried at sea – over 200 years after his death.
Michael Brennan from The Neale in Co Mayo (43) is calling on the Irish government to help free the 8ft 2in skeleton of Charles Byrne (1761 -1783) from its glass display case at London’s Hunterian Museum run by England’s Royal College of Surgeons.
“Charles didn’t want to be dissected and put on display – this is not right and must stop,” said Mr Brennan.
Charles Byrne was one of a few famous 18th century “Irish giants” who were among the group of human curiosities who had celebrity status in London theatres making fortunes from people who would pay just to see them on stage.
He is believed to be originally from Cork, but emigrated to London to earn a living and died at just 22 due to excessive drinking shortly after having his life savings stolen from him.
He is said to have made a dying wish to be buried off the Irish coast and left a large sum for this to be done, as he did not want to become a specimen for anatomists.
However, British anatomist John Hunter is said to have bribed the undertaker and took Byrne’s body against to dissect it and put the skeleton in the museum where it remains to this day.
Tree surgeon Michael Brennan – who is himself around 6ft 6in – has already had his requests turned down by the British authorities, but is now getting help from Michael Ring TD and Sinn Fein MEP Mary Lou McDonald.
McDonald said: “In this day and age it’s a bit vulgar for the retention of a body like this – which went against the Irish man’s wishes on his death bed.
“The man wanted to be buried at sea and it’s not too late to respect that now.”
Michael Brennan’s request was refused by the board of trustees of the Hunterian Collection in February last year – which he said was because he was of no relation and because it was stated that the skeleton still possessed scientific and medical significance.
However, Michael believes the “Irish Giant” is being kept their as a “freak show” for people to gawk at – which was what the man did for a living before his death.
He wrote to the UK Equality and Human Rights Commission last September claiming this was an equality issue – but they said it would be up to a county court to resolve the issue.
He again wrote to the college of surgeons who are now due to discuss the matter again with the museums board on April 1.
Michael has forwarded his correspondence to the Foreign Affairs Minister, President Mary McAleese and to Michael Ring TD, who has is also helping with the campaign.
He said he feels a connection with the “Irish Giant” due to his own tall height and because he also emigrated to London to seek employment during hard economic times.
He saw a documentary about Charles Byrne on a cable channel and was “saddened” by his story.
He is calling on anyone out there who believes they might be related to Charles Byrne to make contact with him.
Michael has suggested that the museum make a plaster cast copy of the skeleton.
“Charles deserves to have his last dying wish so that he can be put to rest,” he said.
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