He began each oration with the verse: Ye sons and daughters of Erin, Gather round poor Zozimus, yer friend; Listen boys, until yez hear My charming song so dear.

He ended up feeble and bedridden and he died on 3 April 1846 at his lodgings in 15 Patrick Street, aged around 52, and was buried in Glasnevin Cemetery two days later on Palm Sunday.

His epitaph reads: My burying place is of no concern to me, In the O'Connell circle[4] let it be, As to my funeral, all pomp is vain, Illustrious people does prefer it plain.

According to legend, she had followed pilgrims to Jerusalem with the intent of seducing them, then, turning penitent on finding herself prevented from entering the Church of the Holy Sepulchre by a supernatural force, she fled to the desert and spent the remainder of her life in solitary penance.

When she was at the point of death, God sent Zosimas of Palestine to hear her confession and give her Holy Communion, and a lion to dig her grave.