Lennon Memorial at the Stroan Fountain, Parish of Kilfane, county Kilkenny

The Stroan Fountain before restoration

The Stroan Fountain is a very beautiful and elegant monument made of cut limestone and was a source of potable water for the tenants on the nearby Kilfane estate.   It is just to the side of a road leading from the main Thomastown - Gowran road towards Tullaherin.  Originally thought to be built in 1766 it is now thought more likely to date from 1866.  It is fed by a cistern about 40 metres away to the northeast which in turn is fed by a natural spring.  The whole fountain and surrounding pool area has recently been lovingly restored by the Tullaherin Heritage Society, the Follies Trust and the Kilkenny County Council.  The fountain bears the following  damaged inscription 1766 (now thought to be correctly 1866) Erected by subscription by permission of the landlord Gervase Bushe. Designed and arranged by Thomas Seigne.

The Stroan Fountain after restoration in 2010

Adjacent to the boundary of the fountain and facing east is a little known and generally unnoticed metal memorial cross usually hidden in overgrowth. This metal cross bears the inscription " Jerry Lennon, Knocktopher. Killed June 8th 1922. RIP"

The dating of this inscription  might lead the casual observer to assume that this was a memorial to an event that was related to the Civil War but this was not the case.  This is a roadside memorial placed at the site of the accident and does not commemorate a burial place
A short report appeared in The Kilkenny Journal June 10th 1922.   Sad Accident. Knocktopher Cyclist Killed. Just as we go to press we learn that Mr E Lennon (sic), when cycling home from Gowran Races,  on Thursday evening collided with a cow which crossed him on the road between Stoneyford and Knocktopher, and was killed instantly. Mr Lennon was a very popular figure in athletic circles and won many cycling events. We sympathise with his bereaved relatives on the tragic way in which he met his death.
A report in The Kilkenny Journal June 17th 1922 on the inquest and verdict on the body of the late Jeremiah Lennon reveals the whole story. 
On June 9th an inquest was held by Dr Walsh, Coroner for South Kilkenny in the licenced premises of Mrs Blanchfield, Kilfane, Thomastown, on the body of Jeremiah Lennon, who was killed the previous evening at the Stone Fountain (sic), Kilfane.   The following jurors were sworn:- Patrick Doyle, Kilfane (foreman), David Holohan, John McGrath, John Power, Denis Tracey, James Hearne, Richard Cuddihy, Thomas McGrath, Peter Maher, Michael Egan, Thos. Maher, Martin Touhy, and James Doyle.   Brigade Police Officer T. Direen and Batt. Police Officer W. O'Keeffe represented the police.  Bernard Kavanagh, Ballynamone, giving evidence of identification deposed that he was the step-brother of the deceased.  The deceased was 43 years of age, married, with his wife living and his occupation was given as farmer and cycle agent.  Patrick Doolan, Thomastown,  stated he was with the deceased when the accident occurred. The deceased was leading when coming to the hill at the Stone Fountain (sic). The witness and James Kelly were coming about 20 yards behind. There were several cows on the road; the deceased got through the first of them all right but one of the cows backed out of the ditch just as the deceased was passing.  The bicycle struck the hindquarters of the cow and the deceased was thrown heavily against the road. He was unconscious when the witness and James Kelly came along. They took him off the road and sent for the priest and the doctor. He only lived about 25 minutes afterwards.  Dr P.J. Murphy deposed that he made a superficial examination of the body. Fracture of the skull was in his opinion the cause of death.  The jury returned the following verdict - "Jeremiah Lennon died from fracture of skull accidently.  We strongly condemn the practice, at present quite common through the country, of having cattle on the public road without any control".
There is a Lennon headstone in Knocktopher graveyard but Mr Jeremiah Lennon does not appear on the stone.   The census for 1901 for Knocktopher Manor, Knocktopher records Maria Kavanagh, a shopkeeper and farmer living with her son Jeremiah Lannon (sic) aged 19, daughters Mary, aged 11 and Kate Lannon aged 8.   Also resident are sons Joseph Kavanagh aged 4 and Bernard Kavanagh aged 2 years.   Son Jeremiah is recorded as born in county Carlow.  He appears in the 1911 Census aged 27 years, unmarried, with his occupation given as a cycle agent.  There is a Kavanagh plot in Knocktopher graveyard with a headstone erected to members of this Kavanagh family but Jeremiah Lennon/Lannon's name does not appear on this headstones either.

Position of the metal cross in relation to the Stroan Fountain

Further Reading
1. Kilkenny Graveyard Inscriptions: Knocktopher. Kilkenny Archaeological Society. 1988.
2. Stroan Fountain - conservation, maintenance, repairs and refurbishment of ornamental stone fountain and surrounds by Ivor McIlveen in In the Shadow of the Steeple No 11. 2012.