Council hosts book launch honouring Monica de Wichfeld

A book commemorating the remarkable life of Monica de Wichfeld was launched recently at Crom Castle. Funded through Fermanagh and Omagh District Council’s Good Relations Programme the book by local author and historian Marion Maxwell provided an opportunity to reflect on Monica’s remarkable journey and her Ulster Scots heritage .

The book tells the story of Monica’s early years at St. Huberts at Geaglum, Derrylin and her courageous role in the Danish resistance during World War II. Captured by the Nazis- she was sentenced to death – later reduced to life imprisonment. Tragically she died on 27 February 1945 while serving her sentence in Waldem prison in Germany.

Monica’s bravery is commemorated through plaques in Engestoft Church, Denmark and Kinawley Parish Church, Derrylin. More recently, the Ulster History Circle unveiled a Blue Plaque at Kinawley Parish Church, highlighting her Ulster-Scots heritage and bringing her story to a new audience.
This insightful book follows Monica’s journey from her birth in London on 12 July 1894 to her upbringing at St Hubert’s, a Manor House near Derrylin that no longer stands. It explores her education in Fermanagh, France and Germany, her work in a military canteen during World War I , and her marriage to a Danish diplomat, with whom she had three children. It also details her involvement in the Danish resistance, which ultimately led to her arrest and imprisonment.
Speaking about the book Chair of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council Cllr John McClaughry attended the launch and commented,

“It is fitting that eighty years from her death we are here on Upper Lough Erne where Monica enjoyed her formative years to commemorate her life. Monica’s story is one of courage and determination and is important that we capture the stories of our ancestors and local people from the District who played a significant role in history so that they can be preserved, and future generations can learn about their heritage and culture which has helped to shape our society today.

Fermanagh and Omagh District Council is committed to Celebrating Ulster Scots and to protecting, enhancing and making accessible our rich, diverse cultural heritage so I am delighted that the Council has been able to provide funding towards the book through its Good Relations Programme.’

Author Marion Maxwell thanked those in attendance and said;

‘Monica can be described both as a child of Lough Erne and a heroine of the Danish Resistance in WW2. St. Hubert’s, the beautiful lakeside mansion at Geaglum where the young Monica Massy-Beresford spent her formative childhood is long gone. However, the story of her remarkable life, notably her participation in the Danish Resistance which resulted in her betrayal and her death while in a Nazi prison, deserves to be told.

Remarkable deeds deserve to live on in memory as a reminder of the best that human beings are capable of.’

To find out about Fermanagh and Omagh District Council’s Good Relations Programme visit https://www.fermanaghomagh.com/services/community/good-relations-2/