Death of Burton R.P. Persse, Esq., J.P., D.L., Moyode Castle

Galway Express, 30th May 1885

It is with feelings of the most profound regret that we have to announce to our readers the somewhat sudden demise of the above—named gentleman, at his residence, Moyode Castle, on Monday night last, from rheumatic fever, after a few days' illness. Deceased was one of the most prominent gentlemen in the County Galway, and for the past 30 years he has been Master of the Foxhounds of this county. In whatever light his character is viewed he will be found to be one of the best of gentlemen of this or any other county. An ardent sportsman, he was always to the very last at "the head of his class", — the first to lead men and hounds, and although he had been Master for the long space of 30 years and that among the proudest gentry of any land, his right thereto was unchallenged, and he was facile princeps the first sportsman in the county. Moreover, paradoxical as it may appear, he was a most religious man. A profane word was never heard from his lips, and his name was never mentioned in connection with an unlawful deed. On the contrary, he was most attentive to his religious duties, and, as far as the human eye could see no man could be more just and upright. As a country gentleman he set an example it would be well if many of them followed. He spent his whole income in the county, and instead of sending for his goods, as too many of them do, to Dublin and London, he bought them all at home. His loss is deeply lamented by every person who had the true wishes of the country at heart, and we are sure that his funeral this day will reflect the opinion of this worth in this county. "Know ye not that a great man has this day fallen in Israel." "The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away, blessed be the name of the Lord."