Monday 14 November 2016

Lamòge Graveyard Tullahought Windgap Co Kilkenny


Lamòge Graveyard  Tullahought, Windgap, Co Kilkenny

 

Lamog, Lamòg, Lamogue,
The origin of this place name is firstly (the place of Elm trees).
It is also thought to mean (a very bare place) .
Both these interpretations may be relevent in what seems to be when the Elm trees were felled and in their absence the placename holds the memory of them and also absorbs its newly exposed landscape.
Statute Acres 668.3.25
Barony of Kells
Parish of Tullahought
Within the Poor Law Union of Callan in 1857



This graveyard is enclosed by a vey fine stone wall and is sitting in the middle of a field. This site is   just north of the old village of Lamòg.  No evidence remains of the Church today.
 There is a Well noted closeby this site and also the presence of two Ogham stones.




Access is by this small sturdy iron blacksmiths gate which is padlocked; the key is available from the lady with the beautiful garden at the local farmhouse.


There are only four headstones in this graveyard, but many gravemarkers, lost to the grass.
 While the grass and soft vegetation is tall it is not a neglected place, it is a wonderful environment for wildlife.  The main monument is surrounded by a small grove of 4 yew trees - now grown to tremendous proportions.  All 4 memorials are either in this grove of just on the edge of it.



Memorial 1.
High and impressive Celtic Cross on a double plinth.
The Christogram IHS with a cross, resting of the bar of the H is cental to top with the capital letters
A.M.D.O. engraved on the lower front of the shaft. No makers name is apparent.
On the main plinth: This monument is erected by James Power of Graigue in memory of his ancestors particurlarly his father John Power who died 27th Sept 1854 aged 56 years. (DOB 1798).  Also his mother Ellen Power otherwise Mullally who died 22nd May 1855 aged 58 Years , (DOB 1797)
Requiescant in Pace.
Right side:  His sisters Margaret Millea died Nov 1895.  Mrs Bridget Power died Sept 1901).  Left side: The said James Power died 19th Aug 1902.  His brother William Power died 19th Aug 1912.





 Memorial 2
A fallen headstone immediately in front of the above stone It is finely carved with a Scroll showing Gloria InExcelsus Deo, the IHS Christogram and a Ciboria depicted each side.
God be Merciful to the Soul of Robert Power who departed this life 13th June 1796 aged 76 years.  Also his wife Mary Power alias Carty who departed this life the 24th July 1761 aged 46 years. (DOB Robert 1720 and for Mary 1715)














Memorial 3
Just outside the grove of Yews but almost hidden in it. A headstone covered by lichens with a Gloria Scroll, again the Christogram IHS with a cross sitting on the crossbar of the H. with Ciboria each side.  Erected by Mary Bowe Alias Cummafort of Kilmaganny in memory of her beloved husband John Bowe who depd this life June the 10th 1814 aged 52 years. (DOB 1763).













Memorial 4
An upright headstone immediately to the right of the Yew Trees and partly in the grove. God be merciful to the soul of Mary Power Alias Keenahan who departed this life th 25th of Decbr 1789 aged 75 years. Erected by her husband Michl Power. (This makes Mary Power's DOB as 1714).














Decorative flourishishes on the forged gate




Ogham Stones

View on approach from the road




Index of Names
Bowe, Carty, Cummafort, Keenahan, Millea, Mullally, Power.

Index of Placename
Graigue, Kilmaganny.


Sunday 6 November 2016

A Funeral and Benevolent Society, Inistioge, county Kilkenny 1794

This funeral and benevolent society was founded 3rd November 1794 by the Innistioge (sic) Association Club and dedicated to the patronage of St Collom Kill by which they assumed the name of St Collom Kill's Society.
There are fifteen Articles of Incorporation of the Society which are signed by Jeremiah Hickey, clerk to the Society.   Some of these Articles are copied below and help us understand how some funerals were managed, including attendance at funerals and how much a funeral might have cost in 1794.
This appears to be a non-denominational Society, that is open to Catholic and Protestant alike but this would have been unusual.  The Society seems to have been secular; that is not under control of any clergyman but there does seem to be a Catholic feel to this Society.  It is a very interesting example of a self-help organisation.


The preface to all the founding Articles is as follows "A number of respectable house-keepers of the town of Innistioge, who are amenable to the discipline of their church, and the ordinances of the state, join together in an institution, whose only object is to lay up a joint fund or stock in the hands of one of their respectable members, or in the hands of some other person, whom they shall unanimously appoint, or otherwise chosen by a majority of voices, for the purposes of relieving any of their members, when afflicted by Divine Providence, with weekly support, and purchase funeral necessities for the more decent interment of their members". 


The First Article states that no person shall be admitted to the Society over the age of 45 years, that there shall be no more than 100 members and each proposed member was to be vetted for their moral character.  A President or Chairman was to be elected and twelve councilmen.   The sobriety and moral behaviour of members, of upmost importance,  was carefully monitored and every member had to comply with his Christmas and Easter duties; there could be no taking of unlawful oaths, for example, without the levy of a fine on the member.


Article Five stated that any member afflicted by sickness, gout and venereal disease excepted,  and is too incapacitated to earn his bread would be entitled to a British crown per week during 6 months of illness and that if his illness continued, even for life, he would be entitled to a British half crown out of the joint stock fund.    This seems very generous when the monthly subscription was agreed as one British shilling.


Article Six refers to the duties of members who were required to attend the funerals of the Innistioge clergymen, brother members, members' wives, parents and children, from the age of 12 years, until said children are married.........provided they are within 5 computed miles of Innsitioge; and the said attendance to continue from the dwelling house of the deceased to the burying place..........or they shall forfeit a British half crown to defray the expenses of the attending members.


Article Eight stated that at the decease of any member, or their wives, 40 shillings was to be laid out of the fund to defray funeral expenses, together with the expense of one High Mass, for the said deceased.  That no benefit for funeral expenses, nor for High Mass, would be due to a member upon the death of a second, third or fourth wife until 3 years had elapsed since the marriage.   The relict (widow) of any deceased member was to be paid a subscription of one British shilling by every member of the Society; and the same to be paid to a widower member.    The widow of any member was to be buried at the usual expenses as are full members, providing she died in her widowhood and had not remarried.


Reference:    Statistical Observations Relative to the County of Kilkenny made in the years 1800 and 1801 by William Tighe.  2 volumes. 1802.

Saturday 5 November 2016

Kyleva Monument, Hugginstown, Parish of Hugginstown, county Kilkenny

Just outside the village of Hugginstown, in the townland of Kyleva, is one of those interesting small roadside memorial found all over Kilkenny.  The inscription is now almost worn away by exposure to the weather but reads "This monument was erected to the memory of Thomas Healy of Lismotigue(sic) who departed this life Noverbr(sic) the 10 1840. Grant eaternal(sic) rest unto him O Lord. Amen". (Journal of the Royal Society of Antiquities of Ireland. Vol II. 1852/58. Transactions of the Kilkenny Archaeological Society).  The person commemorated by this memorial is not buried here; the monument is placed on the site where he died unexpectedly, presumably in an accident.

The Kyleva wayside memorial to Thomas Healy of Lismatigue died November 10th 1840 just outside the village of Hugginstown. 






As it happens there are three headstones in the old Hugginstown graveyard for this Healy family of Lismatigue.   Stone No 60 on our list is a large old stone with a sunburst design and a Gloria scroll decorating the top of the stone but the stone is very weathered.  It reads "Erected by the widow Healy alias Grant of Lismatigue in memory of her husband Thomas Healy who died Nov 2nd (stone damaged here) 1839 aged 55 years".     This Thomas Healy was married to an Anne Grant.  In addition there is a modern inscription dating from 1992.  The reverse of this large stone is very interesting with a latin cross and an IHS carved into it, plus a funereal verse which reads "In deathly form we here waiting for the sound of the trumpet from the sky, Waiting that day until awful Judgement, To make my happiness or misery complete".    This might be the Thomas Healy of the Kyleva monument but the dates are mystifying and there were actually two Thomas Healys of Lismatigue, senior and junior.  The Kyleva monument does not actually identify which Thomas Healy is being commemorated and it may well be that one of them died in November 1839 and the other one died at Kyleva in November 1840.




Stone No 28 at Hugginstown graveyard, is another very old and corroded stone again decorated with a sunburst design at the top of the stone. In all probability this stone and stone No 60 have been carved by the same hand but both stones are unsigned.  This reads "Erected by Michael Healy of Lismatigue in memory of his father Patrick Healy who died April 10 1832 aged 71 years and mother Elenor Healy who died June 23rd 1837 (damaged here). Also his nephew William Healy (who) died April 1840 aged 18 yrs."

Stone No 32 in Hugginstown graveyard is a Celtic Cross and the signed work of Molloy of Callan and Dungarvan.   This reads  "Erected by James Healy, Callan in memory of his parents Philip Healy of Lismatigue died 22ne July 1888 aged 57 yrs. Ellen Healy (nee Comerford) died 20th Nov 1904 aged 54 yrs.  Also four of their children who died young.  Mary Healy nee Sullivan died 2nd May 1922",    Other members of the family are also remembered on this memorial, notably those in Sydney, Australia.






According to the Tithe Applotments taken in 1833 for Lismatigue Michael Healy, Thomas Healy Snr and Thomas Healy Jnr were jointly renting 56 acres at Stone Park, Lismatigue.  Additionally Thomas Healy Jnr was renting another 18 acres at Mooneermore, Lismatigue.  Philip Healy and Thomas Healy Snr were also renting another 43 acres at Glenkeerawn, Lismatigue.  Clearly a respectable farming family of some substance.   

St Patrick's Graveyard, Kilmoganny, Parish of Dunnamaggan, county Kilkenny

This small Catholic graveyard is opposite St Eoghan's Church in Kilmoganny and in the Catholic Parish of Dunnamaggan. The Church of Ireland graveyard at Kilmoganny, surrounding St Matthew's Church, is in the Church of Ireland Parish of Kells.   That sounds confusing but is correct as the Catholic Church and the Church of Ireland have differently sized and organised parishes.  All the photos are taken by Bernie.  We surveyed this graveyard in August 2016,
View of St Patrick's graveyard, Kilmoganny


The Catholic Church, St Eoghan's has some wonderful stained glass windows and one wall memorial.  The memorial reads " Of your charity pray for the repose of the soul of The Very Rev Edward Canon Coyne P.P. of Dunnamaggan who died on the 17th of November A.D 1889 aged 55 years.  For 27 years he discharged his duties of his sacred ministry with exemplary piety, rare prudence, zeal and fidelity; in his life was fully realised the high ideal of a true priest of God. Requiescat in Pace".
Wall memorial to Canon Coyne in St Eoghan's Church, Kilmoganny


There are 47 memorials in this graveyard, called St Patrick's, which we surveyed in August 2016. All the memorials face east, as one would expect, but some are very worn indeed and appear to be suffering from exposure to the weather. Strangely there are no stone markers; these are usually placed over a grave by people who could not afford to have a headstone carved.     Many memorials are of an early date and interestingly carved which points to at least a proportion of the Catholic population that could afford to erect a carved memorial over their loved ones.  It does suggest a certain amount of prosperity as there are 15 memorials here that date from the 18th century. The earliest is dated 1741 (No 22) closely followed by 1755, 1757, 1763, 1765, 1771, 1774, 1776, 1778, 1785 (x2), 1787, 1791 (x2) and 1799.   There are another 19 memorials bearing dates from 1801-1847.
A small upright stone to commemorate Catherine Kennedy alias Walsh who departed this life 5th of December 1774 aged 56 years.   This is carved by an inexperienced hand. Note that all the letters S are the wrong way round even on the IHS.  Spacing also has been a problem for whoever carved this as "Bo" is at the end of one line and "dy" (for Body) is at the start of the next line .    None of the lines are exactly straight; note the position of the number 4 in 1774.   Note also the crudely carved heart under the IHS.


One memorial (No 2) to the Grinsill family is dated 1831 and is of slate; most memorials  are of local limestone.   Several old stones are decorated with a relatively small cross within a circle at the top of the stone (No 1 Crowley for example).   Memorials decorated with similar crosses within circles can also be found at Kilree graveyard. None of these memorials have been signed by the mason who carved them although presumably carved by the same hand or from the same workshop.
 A very individual tombstone carved to commemorate Mary Kenny who died aged 3 years in 1840,

Memorial No 30 (McDonnell 1842 and signed by White of Carrick on Suir), has two small "supporter" stones on each side of the main stone simply marked M. McD with a cross.   This fashion for "supporter" stones can also be seen in Knockmoylan graveyard and also in Hugginstown Old graveyard; these "supporter" stones appear in Catholic graveyards and we have not found them in Church of Ireland graveyards.

A Celtic cross carved by O'Shea of Callan for the Rev Patrick Hurley, of Adelaide, South Australia, to remember his mother Bridget who died in 1885 and his father Thomas who died in 1888.


Memorial No 34 for the Bryan family records Margaret Bryan, alias Prendergast(died 1824) as affectionate, virtuous and honest; this is a rare description of a Catholic woman at this time in her own right.  Usually women, if described at all, are described in the context of their relationship to the males of the family be it husband, father, uncle or brother.  Memorials Power of (Nos 5 and 6) are for the family of Power of Graigue; the Power memorials in Lamoge graveyard also belong  to this same Power family.
Memorial No 12 is flat on the ground but finely decorated with an IHS and Gloria scroll. It is dedicated to John McEnery of Carrick who died in December 1801 aged 75 years. And Patrick McEnery of Ballyhoile who died in December 1815 aged 53 years.  This stone has a latin inscription which reads "Per Misericordiam Dei Requiescant in Pace".   This is taken direct form the Catholic funeral prayers read by the Priest at the place of burial and translates "By God's Mercy Rest In Peace". Catholics who are living ( known as The Church Militant) have a solemn duty to pray for souls in purgatory (known as the Church Suffering). This is why many Irish headstone inscriptions might start with the words "Pray for the Soul of.........".     Most headstones here would only record "Requiescat (singular) or Requiescant (plural) in Pace" and not the full phrase of  "Per Misericordiam Dei Requiecat/Requiescant in Pace".  
This is stone No 34 to the Carney family. It is delightfully carved with a sunburst design at the top containing crucifix with spears and a ladder and two hourglasses surmounted by skulls.  Note also the all the flourishes on the script with space saving devices such as the "e" above the "y" of ye, deceased spelt as dec with "sd" raised above it and the wonderful eccentric spelling of children as "chil" with "rn" raised above it to save space. Chilrn. 




Index to names appearing on the memorials
Broderick, Bryan, Butler, Cahill, Carney, Cassin, Cleary, Coffey, Coughlin, Coyle, Crowley, Doherty, Dunne, Feehan, Fahee, Flanagan, Forrastal, Grinsill, Hayden, Heade, Hennessy, Hughes, Hunt, Hurley, (initials only) DK, Keating, Kelly, Kennedy, Kenny, Kerevan, Kirwan, McDonnell, (initials only M McD), McEnery,  Moore, Moran, Murphy, Nolan, Norris, Pendergast, Phelan, Power, Prendergast, Read, Reade, Ready, Ryan, Sheehan, Slatery, Slattery, Tobin, Walker, Walsh.


Index of places appearing on the memorials
Adelaide, Ballygown, Ballyhoile, Carrick, Carrickatnaw, Carrick on Suir,  Cotrilstown, Cottrelstown, Cottrilstown, Dunnamaggan, England, Garryhalloo, Graigue, Kilmoganny, Kyle, Lismatage, Oldtown, Rawelarish, Rossenara, Rossennarra, Sheepstown, South Australia, Waterford.


Index of occupations appearing on the memorials
Canon, Land Steward, Merchant, Rev (Priest)


Index of masons who have signed memorials they have carved
R. Colles (place illegible but probably Kilkenny),  Molloy of Callan and Dungarvan, O'Shea of Callan, White of Carrick on Suir.
Memorial to Moira Moore opposite St Patrick's graveyard, Kilmoganny

Thursday 3 November 2016

St Matthew's Church of Ireland Church, Kilmoganny, Parish of Kells, county Kilkenny

This is a charming church and beautifully maintained.  Inside the church there are 12 memorials, some very fine,  mainly wall memorials which are hung around the interior walls.    Starting at the left side wall at the back of the church and working towards the altar, along the wall behind the altar, and then along the opposite side of the church wall.   All the pictures have been taken by Bernie.


1. Brass plaque on limestone base. To the Glory of God and to the memory of Walter May MRCSE who departed this life in May 1899 aged 35 years.   A prayer desk, lectern and pulpit have been erected by funds within and without the parish. Monument made by T.R.Scott, Dublin.
2. White marble on limestone base. "He that hath the son hath life; And he that is not the son of God hath not life". 1 John V.12.  The Revd William B McCheane, Chaplain H.M.S Aboukir (youngest son of the Revd Jeremiah McCheane, Rector of Kilmoganny) who died 9th May 1867 aged 27 years of yellow fever contracted during the fearless and self-sacrificing discharge of his duties as Chaplain to the Royal Naval Hospital, Port Royal, Jamaica. to his dear memory this tablet is inscribed by her whose anguish is subdued by faith. "It is well with thy husband?" "And she answered - it is well"
2 Kings IV.26.
3. In loving memory of George Smyth Oldcastle Windgap died 20th April 1979 aged 74 and his wife Evelyn Smyth died 7th March 1983 aged 68.  The Lord gave and the Lord have taken away. Blessed in the Will of the Lord. John 1.21.1.
4. Impressive grey limestone memorial with 2 marble pillars with ionic tops and pointed pediment at top.  Here lyeth the body of George Reade of Rossenarra Esqr who departed this life the 3rd Septemr 1731 aged 73 years.  Here also lieth the body of Richard Mathews Reade Esqre of Rossenarra who departed this life on the 6th June 1816 aged 77 years.



5. Left of altar. Grey limestone with white marble. Sacred to the memory of William Morris of Waterford Esqre and his wife Martha sister of George Reade of Rossenara Esqre and their sons Benjamin Morris of Lamogue and William Morris, Kildromy in the county, Esqres.  They passed their life in virtue and honour and they died in the humble hope of their eternal reward.  This short memorial of their names and work is erected by their grateful descendant William Morris Reade in the year of Our Lord 1817.




6. On altar. To the glory of God and in loving memory of the Revd William Harpur M.A. Rector of this parish 1917-1936 and Chancellor of St Canice's Cathderal Kilkenny who fell asleep in Christ on 9th March 1936. The panelling of this chapel was erected by his friends and parishioners and the Holy Table presented by his wife.
7. On table. George, Auriel, Ida and Allen donated this table to St Matthew's Church, Kilmoganny in memory of Isabel and Eva Smyth Oldcastle Windgap county Kilkenny.
8. Right of altar. Identical design to memorial No 5 above.  This monument is erected sacred to the memory of William Morris Reade Esqre of Rossenara, Rossduff & of  Marchington, Great Britain who departed this life March 30th 1847 aged 59.  Mark the perfect man and behold the upright for the end of that man is peace.




9. Right side of church. Same design to memorial as No 4 above. This monument was erected by Mrs Reade of Rossenara in the  memory of her beloved husband Richard Reade of Rossenara Esqr who departed this life the 3rd May 1742 in the 47th year of his age. Allso(sic) four of their children viz Lucey, William, Thos and Charles as allso (sic) Elizabeth Thomson, mother to Mrs Reade of Rossenara who departed this life January 20th 1735 aged 60 years.


10. Limestone base with half pillar on white marble; half pillar/column decorated with clenched hand above a bible or holy book.  Pillar has garlands of grapes and ribbon with the word "RESURGAM".  Sacred to the memory of Anna Maria Reade, eldest daughter of William Morris Reade of Rossenara co Kilkenny who died at Rossenara March 19th 1879 aged 49 years.  "As for me I will behold thy face in the righteousness: I shall be satisfied when I awake with thy likeness. Psalm XVII.15".  The mason is Rogers of Bath, England


11. Marble on limestone. In loving memory of Trooper Albert E Carr, S.I.H, son of William and Sarah Carr of Rahenarren who died of wounds in France Jan 19th 1918 aged 21 years.
12. Plaque same style as No 1 above.  Sacred to the memory of Dr Walter Herbert May who died at Pretoria on 17th October 1903 aged 27 years.  "The Lord gave and the Lord hath taken away. Blessed be the name of the Lord.  T.R. Scott and Co, Dublin.




Beautiful east window in St Matthew's Kilmoganny









Note:  See The Reades of Cos Tipperary and Kilkenny by H.F. Morris and T. Duncan-Reade in The Irish Genealogist Vol 8. No 1 1990 pages 15-44  and in The Irish Genealogist Vol 8 No 3 1992 pages 336-364 for a detailed study of this family and other Reades in co Kilkenny.


Index of names
Carr 11,  Harpur 6,  McCheane 2,  May 1, 12,  Morris 5,  Reade 4,8,9,10,  Smyth 3,7


Index of places
Aboukir 2,  France 11,  Great Britain 8, Jamaica 2,  Kildromy 5,  Kilkenny 6, 7  Lamogue 5,  Marchinton 8, Oldcastle 3,7,  Port Royal 2,  Pretoria 12,  Rahenarren 11,  Rossduff 8,  St Canice's Cathderal 6,  Waterford 5,  Windgap 3, 7.


List of Occupations
Chancellor 6, Chaplain 2, Doctor 12, MRCSE (Member of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh) 1, Rector 2, 6, Revd 2, SIH (South Irish Horse) 11, Trooper 11.


List of Masons
T.R. Scott and Co, Dublin 1, 12.   Rogers of Bath, England 10.

Saturday 29 October 2016

Kilmoganny Church of Ireland Graveyard, Kilmoganny, county Kilkenny

This is a relatively small walled graveyard surrounding the very pretty St Matthew's Church of Ireland Church which was built in 1830 with a grant of £750 from The Board of First Fruits.   There are 22 memorials but other named people are buried here without headstones of any kind, as we shall see.   The graveyards contains both Protestant and Catholic burials.    Many burials relate to close and extended members of the Reade family of Rossenara House who were the big landlords in this area.   Kilmoganny also has a Catholic graveyard which may once have been part of St Matthew's Church graveyard; the road now divides the two burial grounds.   Bernie and I have surveyed this Protestant graveyard, and the Catholic one which we will be posting soon, and the memorials inside the Protestant church which will also be posted soon.   There is another modern Kilmoganny graveyard which we have not yet had a chance to survey but it is on the list, as they say.  This has been a very interesting graveyard to survey.  Some of the Reade family converted to the Catholic church in the 1830s, there was also a divorce in this family circa 1807, and there appear to have been many acknowledged natural Reade children.    The graveyard is kept in very good order.  Stones no 7 - 14,  most originally upright, appear to have been removed from their original place marking burials and placed in a single row lying flat and thus very much exposed to the weather making some of these memorials now very difficult to read.
Note: 21st November 2016,  After posting this entry about Kilomoganny Church of Ireland graveyard we have been given further information about 2 burials here but without headstone or memorial.  Dr Richard Speare Peile (1801-1849) ran the Dispensary at Rossenara House and is buried here together with his wife Margaret who also died in 1849.  He is buried beside her.  Both died of the Cholera.  .Many thanks to John O'Meara for sending us this information and for further family information and also to Thomas Reade-Duncan for additional information about the Peile family.  There are additional Peile burials in this graveyard but alas no headstone. 








List of names appearing on the memorials
Adams, Bourk, Bradley, Candler, Coughlan, Coughlin, Dowley, Duncan, Evans, Hackett, Hillas, Malone, McCheane, McManus, Morris, Murphy, O'Connell, Reade, Ryan, Scully, Somers, Sutton, Young.


List of places appearing on the memorials
Callan, Clincaun, Clonmel, Croan House, Curraghmore, Cussan,  Dublin,  Dunnamaggan, Goodwinsgarden, the Green, James Green, Kilkenny, Kilmaganny, Kilmoganny, Mount Pleasant, Ormonde Slate Quarries, Rogerstown, St Nicholas Without,  Sheepstown, Whitechurch.


List of occupations appearing on the memorials
Curate, Doctor, Lieut Colonel, MRCSE (Member of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh), Rector, Reverend, RIC.


List of Masons who have signed the memorials
Hoban of Kilkenny, Molloy, O'Dwyer of Kilkenny and O'Shea of Callan.


 No 2. The square obelisk commemorating the Adams family






Memorial No 9  reads "Here lie the remains of Mrs Jane Sutton, wife of the Rev Thos Sutton of Kilmaganny who departed this life on the 23rd day of Decr in the year or Our Lord 1811 aged 66 years".    In 1778 Thomas Sutton was the Curate of Kilmaganny and Knocktopher.  In 1800 he wrote in the Visitation Returns "I have served the curacy for 22 years and am now 25 years a curate and the Great God only knows the hardships I have laboured under".   He then had £50 a year". (Leslie: Ossory Clergy and Parishes 1933).  




No 16. A beautifully carved stone erected by James Bourk in 1805.  There are two decorative angel faces, both with feathered wings, on this headstone.  Note the handsomely carved IHS and cross above it.





Memorial No 22 reads "Here lie buried the remains of William Morris of Rogerstown, Kilmoganny who died 20th Sept 1902 aged 91 years and his wife Frances Morris who died 19th December 1902 aged 81 years"   Also of Richard, son of the above who died 7th February 1907 aged 49 years. Waiting for the Resurrection, for the Trumpet shall sound and the dead shall be raised incorruptible. 1st Cor.XV 52.  Death and darkness and the tomb only whisper till he come".    This William Morris of Rogerstown was born circa 1811 the natural son of William Morris Reade of Rossenara by  Martha, daughter of John McCulla, a coachmaker in Waterford.  He married Fanny Nicholson circa 1841.   


No 16,  The Bourk headstone 1805.  The second carved angel's head with feathered wings. This stone commemorates James Bourk's wife, Barbara Dowley of Callan and his mother Catherine Coughlan.  Perhaps an angel's face with feathers wings for each of them?











Against the back wall and clearly not in its original place is a very broken and seriously damaged stone with some parts completely missing. This is Memorial No 20 on our list. ".......of his....and only child of the Revd Annesley T Hillas, Rector of St Nicholas Without who died at Kilmoganny Rectory Oct 23rd 1880 aged 67 years.    In loving memory of Charity Blake widow of Monckton Somers Esq., of................illegible."    At first it was not at all clear that all the broken parts and scraps came from the one headstone but after some considerable research it became apparent that they did.
The marriage of Monckton Somers and Charity Blake Hillas took place in St Luke's Church of Ireland Parish in Dublin in 1836. Monckton Somers Esq., was a Brewer by occupation and also a Church Warden of St Lukes; they had at least nine children, four of whom died young.  One, George Somers died in 1849, of what is described as malignant scarlatina.   Another son, Annesley Thomas Somers, born in 1840, became Vicar of Kilmoganny from 1874-1883; this explains why his mother was buried here in this graveyard.  Monckton Somers Esq., died 22nd August 1856 in Kingstown, Dublin but was buried in St Luke's.     The Revd Annesley T Hillas, born 1768,  was the son of Wynne Hillas of Dublin and Miss Cherry (sic - but surely a misprint for Charity?)Blake.   The Revd Annesley T Hillas married Sarah Margaret Dowling in St Anne's Soho, London in November 1806.   There has been frequent mis-transcibing of Sarah's name as Douling but it is definitely Dowling and she herself signs the marriage register as S.M. Dowling.  The witnesses to this wedding are Edw. Dowling and M. Dowling.   The genealogy of the family of Hillas of county Sligo by Celeste Byrne has been published in The Irish Ancestor No 1. 1972.  This genealogy includes the above Rev. Annesley Hillas whose mother was Charity Blake; he appears to descend from a Robert Hillas of Donecroy, Templeboy, Sligo.
Quite a lot of information was eventually gathered together about this family and if anyone is interested we do have further information about the history of this family.


A view of St Mathew's Church from the back showing plot No 15. The large anonymous plot belonging to the Morris-Reade family


No 15 on our list is a large plot with a surrounding small raised wall which once had iron railings.  Currently there are no inscriptions and no names.  
We have been contacted by Thomas Reade-Duncan, co-author with Henry Morris, of the two articles about the Reades of counties Tipperary and Kilkenny which appeared in The Irish Genealogist, with further information about this plot.   He advised us that the plot is a Morris-Reade plot with burials containing the following members of the Morris-Reade family.   William Morris-Reade (1788-1847), his wife Elizabeth Maitland (1808-1884), their son Frederick Richard (1833-1898), their daughter Anna Maria (1829-1879), William's brother Rev Benjamin O'Connor Morris (1791-1846) and his wife Elizabeth O'Connor of Mount Pleasant, Queens County  The fine railing were stolen about twenty years ago.  We are grateful to him for this information.


It was understood that this plot was used to for the burial of members of the constabulary who were killed at the Battle of Carrickshock on Wednesday 14th December 1831.   These members of the constabulary are presumably somewhere else in the graveyard in an unmarked plot.     The names of the 11 dead sub-constables are:- John McGlennan, John or Joseph Whitaker, Edward Boyle, James Dixon (also spelt Dickson), Thomas Egan, William Budds, John Wright, Robert Fitzgerald, John Fitzpatrick, Charles Carroll and John Prescott,   The Chief Constable, Captain James Gibbons, a veteran of Waterloo, was also killed and is presumably buried here. Another unnamed sub-constable died of his wounds but it not recorded with precision where he was buried.  The process server, Edmond Butler, a man of  questionable reputation and hugely unpopular, died the day after the battle; it is unclear if he is buried here or not. 
Further reading:.
 1.  Richard Lahert. The History and Antiquities of the Parish of Dunnamaggan  in the
      Diocese of Ossory. 1956


Footnote:  Rev Hans Hamilton died in Leamington, Warwickshire, England on 8th February 1839. 
Some headstones are not that easy to get at.   This one, No 17,  engulfed by the shrubbery and trees is dedicated to Marianne Bradley who died December 11th 1865 aged 27 years.

















Thursday 13 October 2016

Grannagh (Granny) or Grandison Castle, Parish of Kilmacow, county Kilkenny

This is one of the funniest stories ever about belief, burial, inheritance, eccentricity and sheer greed.  The Ordnance Survey Letters for County Kilkenny by John O'Donovan (1806-1861): Four Masters Press, 2003,  reported the following scroll painted on a board and nailed to a wall of the old ruined castle - 
The interior enclosure of the Castle. You can just see the slab towards the bottom and to the left of the tower.




" The ancient Castle of Grannagh  in the Barony of Iverk, County of Kilkenny, is supposed to have been built 500 years ago; it was formerly a strong fortress and the residence of the proud and puissant Earls and Dukes of Ormond who there held their Baronial Courts and lived in all the pomp and splendor of fewdal(sic) magnificence. This venerable fabric was in part demolished during the civil wars of unhappy Ireland and the spoliating hands of a thoughtless neighbouring peasantry had nearly completed the destruction when George Roache (sic) Esq., a native of the City of Limerick, the present inheritor and proprietor of the estate, whose opinions on the subject of antiquities were at complete variance with those of his elder brother, the late John Roache (sic), repaired the walls in 1837".  This wooden board has long since disappeared but was replacde by a slab fixed to one of the inside walls of the ruin.  This slab still exists but is very difficult to read. However it was transcribed circa 1907 or 1909 and the transcription appeared in The Journal of the Association for the Preservation of the Memorials of the Dead Vol VII.   The wording is somewhat similar but perhaps more diplomatic though not entirely so:-
"The Ancient Castle of Granagh(sic) in the barony of Iverk, in the county of Kilkenny is supposed to have been erected about 500 years ago; it was formerly a strong fortress and the residence of the proud and puissant earls and Dukes of Ormond, who held there their baronial court, bred in all the pomp and splendor of feudal magnificence.  This venerable fabric was in part demolished in the civil wars of unhappy Ireland and the spoliating hands of the thoughtless neighbouring peasantry had nearly completed its destruction when George Roche Esqr ..........(some lines deliberately obliterated here)............. being desirous of preserving from total ruin the feeble remains of this once proud monument of the architectural skills of the ancient Irish caused this new wall on the other side to be built at considerable expense and all the breeches in the old one to be filled up under the superintendence of Edward Rorke, a mason of the city of Waterford,  24th December 1827".
This second notice on the walls of the ruin is somewhat at variance with the original wooden notice although we have no idea of what the erased lines on the stone might have said.  At least the spelling of this particular Roche family is correct on the stone slab but the dates vary.
The stone slab attached to one of the inside walls of Grannagh Castle, now difficult to read. However the erased and obliterated section is clearly visible in this photograph. What on earth did it say to cause its removal?    Probably we shall never know now but.it obviously offended someone.  Possibly the long suffering George Alexander Waters, executor of George Roche.






John O'Donovan made enquiries concerning the above named brothers and found them to be both brothers of William Roche Esq., Member of Parliament for Limerick and the difference in their opinions on antiquities amounted to this, that John, whilst amassing a fortune of nearly quarter of a million of money neglected to prevent the dilapidation of Grannagh Castle, whilst George who succeeded him in this part of the property made some trifling repairs in and about it.  


That however is not quite the whole story.
View of Grannagh Castle from the banks of the River Suir








John Roche's will was proved in 1826 and in it he left his brother George what amounted to £8000 including this estate in Kilkenny.   This Roche family was based in Limerick but had claimed the ancient Fermoy peerage.  It was Thomas Roche, uncle to both William, John and George Roche, who had acquired the Grannagh estate originally.  Thomas had been sent out work in Rotterdam as an agent for his merchant family in Limerick at the tender age of 20 years   He registered as a Burger in Rotterdam on 2nd December 1756; this enabled him practice a trade or profession in that city.  The very same day his first venture was to send a cargo of wine to Limerick and to arrange for a return cargo to Rotterdam of 135 tons of Irish beef, butter, tallow and hides.  He was extremely successful and became a very wealthy man. When he died unexpectedly in 1788 he had just purchased two estates in Ireland, taking advantage of The Catholic Relief Acts which allowed Catholics to purchase land on leases for up to 999 years; one of these estates was Grannagh castle and lands, which eventually his nephew George Roche inherited.










George Roche, the subject of the slab at Grannagh,  had been educated in Revolutionary France  and had been influenced by those ideas and had become somewhat eccentric.  On his death bed his old friend, bosom companion and distant cousin, retired naval surgeon George Alexander Waters said to Roche "Sir I can do no more for you, you must now look to your Saviour" and got the reply "That is all Leather and stuff" (a nineteenth century phrase along the lines of "stuff and nonsense" or meaning "that is all rubbish").  George Alexander Waters, executor of his Will, also managed Roche's finances and said of him that he found it difficult to stretch his £2000 a year income, a very considerable sum of money in those days for a bachelor, from one year's end to the other,  so you may imagine he lived in some style.  In his Will, George Roche provided for his house to be maintained in perpetuity, with his body in a glass fronted coffin, placed upright in the hall of his house to prove to all comers that there was no such thing as the Resurrection.  His executor ignored this and had him decently buried but not before the footman and butler had cleared the house of all valuables and money and had made it hot foot to Cove to board the next ship to America.   That ship was never heard of again and was believed to have been burned at sea with loss of all hands.  

Interior view of one of the ruined towers
Although this is somewhat outside our intentions for this blog there is what purports to be a true  ghost story attached to George Roche of Grannagh Castle.  After Roche's death his house at Tramore, Waterford, called Sweet Briar Park was been let to some sisters, ladies of reduced circumstances,  who kept a small school there.   After the death of the executor, George Alexander Waters himself, his daughter, Eliza, met the eldest of these ladies, a Mrs Goodwilly,  and after the customary platitudes, she asked how they were getting on at Sweet Briar Park.  She was taken aback to hear,  "Oh Miss Waters, you no doubt know everyone hereabouts; can you tell us who is the old fashioned gentleman we see at times in the dusk in our greenhouse?  When we come in he raises his hat, and goes out without a word.  We do not quite like it, but he is so polite and does us no harm".  Miss Waters reported as a most matter-of-fact and level-headed woman,  asked for the description of this intruder and recognised it, including the colour of the coat, the vest and knee-breeches, as an exact description of the late and eccentric George Roche. Not wishing to alarm the ladies and with admirable savoir-faire she said "Oh! yes, we know him, he is quite harmless".  Make of that what you will.  Perhaps George Roche was still hanging around annoyed at the fact that his wishes to be placed in a glass fronted coffin in the hall of the house, had been ignored.  However he does not seem to have been an angry or frustrated ghost, if ghost he was! (Journal of the Cork Historical and Archaelogical Society Vol XXXIV No 130 1929.  The Waters Family of Cork).  

The sad remains of a once fortified castle wall fronting the River Suir



Saturday 24 September 2016

The Priory at Kells, Parish of Danesfort, county Kilkenny

The Priory of the Canons Regular of St Augustine at Kells, county Kilkenny, was established some time before 1193, but in that year the Canons Regular of Bodmin Priory, in Cornwall, England, were invited by Geoffrey Fitz Robert,  who we are told travelled to Bodmin himself to issue the invitation, take over the new foundation of Kells.
Riverside walk to access Kells Priory

The house in Bodmin sent over four monks:-
Reginald de Aclond, Hugh de Rous, Alured and Algar.    The first three of these eventually became Priors of the foundation at Kells.   Hugh de Rous died in 1218 and was buried in the centre of the Priory Church in a splendid marble monument which has long since disappeared.


Both Alured and Algar were sent to another new foundation at nearby Inistioge Priory whose patron and founder was Thomas fitz Anthony and whose name is commemorated to this day, in English,by the town of Thomastown, known in Irish as Baile Mhic Anntain.


The Priory of Kells was suppressed  and surrendered to the crown forces of Henry VIII on March 8th 1540.   It remains one of the most impressive ruins in Ireland.






Inside the ruins are many medieval, but uninscribed, ledger slabs but only five medieval monuments with inscriptions.  People who were benefactors of the Priory would have been given the right of burial there.  These are:-


1. Hic Jacet Stephanus Fil d Hugonis Clerici (Here lies Stephen son of Hugh le Clerc or Hugh the Cleric).


2. Hic Jacet  Johanna Relicta Hugonis Clerici Cuius hic Propiti(e)tur (Here lies Johanna, widow of Hugh le Clerc or Hugh the Cleric).


3. Fragment of a ledger slab - (Hic Jacet)..........Fil Hugonis Cl(er)ci   (Here lies) ...son of Hugh le Clerc or Hugh the Cleric).


4. Hic Jacet Dns Thomas Lahe Quondam Istius Loci Obiit......... (Here lies Sir Thomas Lahe, sometime Prior of this Priory who died.......)


5. Hic Jacet Ricardus Comerford (Qui) Quondam Prior Exstitit Istius Domi. ( Here lies Richard Comerford sometime Prior of this Priory. This memorial was not found by Canon Carrigan in his History of the Diocese of Ossory (1905) but recorded by him as existing at an earlier stage.



View of the Priory ruins from the river bank







The "modern" Priory graveyard is situated outside the north west enclosing walls of the Priory.   It appears to contain very few memorials (memorials 1-14) but there must be many, many unmarked burials; some are recorded by marker stones but even these can not account for where the population of Kells was buried. We must assume that most are in unmarked graves; forever unknown and unlocated.   The nave of the ruined church was used for burials but there is only one "modern" memorial  in the ruin itself.   Some stones are now just inside the Priory curtain wall (memorials 15-23) but these appear to have been moved at sometime in the past.
Stone No 21 to William Ryan dated  1810



Bernie and I surveyed the "modern" graveyard in September 2012 and June 2016.  The graveyard was considerably overgrown in 2012 making access to the memorials and transcribing extremely difficult.  The graveyard had been cleared in June 2016 which enabled us to complete the transcriptions. As you will see there are only 25 memorials in total and we have decided to put them up here in their entirety.   

Sometimes very difficult work but this stone is decorated with a beautiful sunburst design and IHS


There are some very early and decorative stones from the 18th century dating from as early as 1722, 1737, 1765, 1779, 1783 and 1790.  The 19th century stones, some finely carved and decorated date from 1801, 1805, 1810, 1811, 1819, 1823, 1827, 1839 and 1848.  This is a Catholic graveyard.



Very eroded stone No 5 erected by John Larrissy 1827


 


Outer graveyard ( Stones 1-14)
Stones lying flat inside entrance gate on north west side of Priory (15-23) 
Stones further inside the Priory (24-25)
  1. Erected by Mary Morrissey in memory of her father Thomas Darcy who died March 29th 1889 aged 58 years. Also her brother James died March 29th 1912 aged 36 years and her beloved mother who died Feb 23rd 1913 aged 76 and her sister who died young. RIP.  This was once an upright Latin cross with the inscription on the base which is now overturned.  There is now no sign of the cross.  Base signed by Gargan, Kilkenny.
  2. Small upright. Here lyes ye body of Cornelius Cleer decsd (deceased) December 1737. Catherine Cleer his wife decsd 1739. Erected by their son Peter Cleer. Lovely decoration of 2 cherubs, with a sunburst and a cross in circle.  At the base are two hourglasses on either side of a skull with teeth.
  3. Upright. Erected by Catherine Murphy of Jerpoint in memory of her father Thomas Scanlon, Killiney who died 1848 aged 75. Also her mother Anastatia Scanlon died 1850 aged 74.
  4. Upright stone full of lichen but with sunburst decoration etc.,.  Here lies interred the body of Honor Shee alias Naddy, wife of Mr Peter Shee who dept (departed) this life 16th May 1779 aged 45 years. May her soul rest in peace Amen. Also the body of (undecipherable). Followed by a Latin inscription "Multis ille bonis flebilis occidit nulli flebilior quam inihi (?) filiae(?). This translates as "he died lamented by many good men but by none more lamented than by (his sons)".
  5.  Large upright but very eroded headstone. Erected by John Larrissy of Danganbeg in memory of his beloved wife Elizabeth alias Connelly who depd (departed) this life 13th May 1827 aged 24 years.
  6. Broken Plinth - no marks or inscriptions
  7. Railed enclosure but no sign of stone and therefore no name of person or persons buried here. Iron railing very damaged but a maker's name was found on them. Marked: R.Bride, Garnaman. These railing were therefor made in the locality.  See also memorials Nos 10 and 11. 
  8. Upright stone near railed enclosure.  Stone decorated with an IHS in cross, a sunburst and skulls, crosses on top of skulls and two hour glasses.  Here lies interred the body of Edward Hickey. He died 23rd Dec 1765 aged 27 yrs.
  9. Wooden cross in tree.  Pray for Baby and Frank Callaghan. RIP. (see notes below from Burial Register).
  10. Two slabs inside a stone border (Nos 10 and11). Erected by John Bride of Garnaman in memory of his son Richard Bride who departed this life March 24th 1839 aged 25.   May their(sic) souls rest in peace Amen.
  11. In loving memory of Richard McBride, Garnaman died June 1901, his wife Anne McBride died Dec 1932, his son Patrick died Oct 1948 and his daughter Margaret died March 1953. Mary McBride, Grovine died June 1910, John died March 1923, Kate McBride, Kells died 1st Feby 1937. James died 18th Sept 1946. RIP.  Signed by Molloy, Callan.
  12. In loving memory of James Hurley Ennisnag died 8th March 1985 aged 65 years. And all members of the Hurley family interred here.  Rest in Peace.  Gray marble plaque in kerbed plot marked Hurley Kells,
  13. Upright decorated with an IHS.  Erected by Michael Delahunty, Goodwins Garden in memory of his beloved mother Mary Delahunty alias Hennessy who died Nov 27th 1872 aged 58 years.  Also his grandfather Michael Hennessy who died April 8th 1855 aged 72 years.  Aso his grandmother Elizabeth Hennessy alias Coalboot (very difficult to read as badly erased  - was once read as Goodborn)  died January 25th 1845 aged 62 years.
  14. Upright leaning forward. Erected by Patrick Hanley, Garnaman in memory of his mother Elinor Hanley who died June 6th 1819 aged (undecipherable).
  15. Stone decorated with sunburst  with an IHS and two ciboria. This stone was erected by Will of Elizabeth Ryan and in memory of herself and her brother Patrick Ryan who both lie interred here. May they rest in peace Amen. There is no date on the stone. Facing east.
  16. Two uprights now lying flat. First stone decorated with a Gloria scroll and sunburst decoration. Here lies the body of James Doran of Kellsgrange who depd (departed) this life 1st October 1811 in the 67th year of his age. May he rest in peace Amen. Facing east.
  17. Stone decorated with IHS and two ciboria.  Here lies the body of William Doran of Kellsgrange who departed this life April 6th 1805 aged 22 years. May he rest in peace Amen.  Facing west.
  18. In loving memory of Patrick Delahunty, Kells
  19. Large upright now flat.  Decorated with an IHS and Gloria scroll.  Erected by James Connolly of Knocktopher in memory of his son Sylvester Connolly who dept (departed) this life June 9th 1823 aged 44 years. Also two of his children. Requiescant in Pace.
  20. Stone with Gloria scroll, sunburst decoration and two ciboria.  Erected by Patrick Hennecy in memory of his father-in-law Edmond Brenan who died April 20th 1790 aged 74 yrs. May his soul rest in peace Amen.  Also his wife Bridget Hennecy who died April 26th 1798 aged 54 and three of their children.
  21. Stone decorated with an IHS, Gloria scroll and two ciboria but broken into 7 pieces. Here lies the body of William Ryan of Hagarh* who died March the 4th 1810 aged 58 yrs. Also his brother Tho Ryan died October 12th 1801 aged 58 yrs. May their souls rest in peace Amen.  Facing west. (*this is most probably Haggard, Barony of Kells, Parish of Kilree). 
  22. Upright now flat. Decorated with IHS, glories scroll a heart and two ciboria.  This stone was erected by Steven Lewis in memory of his son John Lewis, Newmarket. He died Feb 1st 1783 aged 15.
  23. Broken stone and only part of memorial surviving.   ( ..........)ry who departed Augst 18 1722. Erected by Pierce Merry her son died ye 20.............and also Walter Merry her husband 1738.
  24. Broken stone now lying in north transept amongst other large uninscribed stones. Does not appear to be a headstone but inscribed in amateurish fashion in right hand corner.   Comerford, Kells July 4 1941. Plus TK. In left lower corner GGK and PAC and G. Comerford. No further dates.
  25. Inside ruined Priory and currently inaccessible due to building repairs and scaffolding (2012 and 2016). A fairly modern stone leaning against a wall; white medallion of Our Lady as decoration. In loving memory of Patrick Delahunty, Kells died 26th Nov 1932 aged 75 yrs.  His wife Elizabeth died 7th May 1926 aged 56 yrs. Their grandson Vincent died 35th June 1931 aged 3 yrs.  Their daughter Norah died 30 April 1995 aged 77 years. Their son James died Dec 1988 aged 88 yrs.  His remains lie in California. His spirit lies here.
No 25. Headstone to the Delahunty family of Kells


Index to Names

Beautiful double window inside one of the towers
Brenan 20
Bride 7,10
Callaghan 9
Cleer 2
Coalboot 13 (possibly)
Comerford 24
Connelly 5
Connolly 19
Darcy 1
Delahunty 13,18,25
Doran 16.17
Goodborn 13 (possibly)
Hanley 14
Hennecy 20
Hennessy 13

Hickey 8
Hurley 12
Larrissy 5
Lewis 22
McBride 11
Merry 23
Morrissey 1
Murphy 3
Naddy 4
Ryan 15,21
Scanlon 3
Shee 4
Index to Initials
PAC, GGK, TK  24(possible graffiti)
Index to Places mentioned on Memorials
California 25
Danganbeg 5
Ennisnag 12
Garnaman 7, 10,11,14
Goodwins Garden 13
Grovine 11
Haggard 21
Hagarh 21
Jerpoint 3
Kells 12, 18, 24, 25
Kellsgrange 16, 17
Killiney 3
Knocktopher 19
Newmarket 22


List of Masons and Blacksmiths who made the memorials

R.Bride, Garnaman 7 (Blacksmith; maker of iron railings)

Gargan, Kilkenny 1
Molloy, Callan 11


The Burial Register of Kells
The Kilkenny Board of Health and Public Assistance maintained a Register of Interments for Kells Burial Ground from 1948-1985.  There are 18 entries in the Register.  The Register records name, age, sex, occupation, marital status, last place of residence, date of death, date of interment and was signed by the Caretaker and Registrar for the Burial Ground.  This Register is now kept by the Kilkenny County Archives, John's Street, Kilkenny. There are people in this register who have no memorial at the burial ground.
These names are Molloy (1950, 1952 1964), Doran  (1953), Glendon (1953), Lanigan (1954), Reid (1956), Walshe (1959) and Connell (1985).  
The Register can be very helpful. For example in respect of memorial No 9 to Frank and Baby Callaghan,the Register records that Francis Callaghan, male, single,shopkeeper of Kells died in   November 1956 aged 79 years.  Babe (sic)Callaghan, female, single, shopkeeper of Kells died in April 1959 aged 78 years.   They were both Catholic.    Patrick McBride who is recorded on memorial No 11 is entered in the Burial Register as a Catholic, single and a blacksmith aged 60 when he died in 1948.   




 
.

Sunday 4 September 2016

Hugginstown Graveyard (New or Calvary), Parish of Hugginstown

Calvary Cemetery, Romansvalley, Hugginstown, Co Kilkenny.
 

Entrance gate  central pathway

Calvary is Hugginstowns newest parish Cemetery, while the new parish Church remains in the village the parish Cemetery Calvary is situated on the road north towards Newmarket and Aughavillar.  Situated in the townsland with the lovely name of Romansvalley, the origin of this name is unfortunately lost in the folk memory.  The continuity of family names recorded at the old parish Cemetery on the main street of Hugginstown are again established here at Calvary, along with a number of family names new to the area and not recorded locally in any of the graveyards up to now.
The richly sounding  named hamlets and villages still carry firmly their old gaelic origins though sometimes anglicized phonetically.


View from south- east corner






The graveyards of Hugginstown, Kilkeasy  Calvary  and Aughavillar, stand out not only as places of
cultural and historical value but in how they are each cared for and maintained.  This reflects well on a community with strong affinity and  respect for  their heritage, with  these graveyards being central to it. Calvary has a beautiful view to the Blackstairs mountain from the gate looking east, within it is
a place for birds, bees, flowers, and trees, with  great hedgerows and habitats even in its modern making , the first recorded burial here is 1986.  The style of headstones here at Calvary  is a distinct contrast to the choices of previous families at Kilkeasy and Hugginstown Old, with their consistent use of local kilkenny limestone.  The newer generation's choices are colourful and  of a variety of Marbles and polished Granites, and they are lower to the ground.
Index of Names

Adams, Aylward, Bambrick, Barron, Brennan, Broderick, Butler, Cahill, Clooney, Comerford,  Coogan, Cooney, Cox, Crowley, Culleton, Daly, Deloughery, Deloughrey, Doheny, Duggan, Farrell, Fitzpatrick, Fleming, Foran, Gaule, Gibb, Glendon, Gold, Gorman, Grace, Hayes, Henebry, Hogan, Kenneally, L.L, Lonergan, Long, Maher, Manning, McBride, McCarthy, Murphy, Nolan, O`Brien, O`Gorman, O`Shea, Petrova, Phelan, Power, Raggett,  Roche, Ryan, Seward, Tennyson, Twomey, Walsh.

Index of Places

Aughavillar, Ballagh, Ballintee, Ballinteskin, Ballybray, Ballygerdra, Ballytarsney, Boolyglass, Boolygloss, Carrickshock, Carrigmerlin, Catstown, Cloughabrody, Coolmore, Condonstown, Croan, Croughtabeg, Dublin, Dunbell, Dunnammaggan, Dunnammaggin, Glen, Gowlawn, Hugginstown,  Hugginstown Old Cemetery, Keatingstown, Kilcurl, Kilkeasy, Kilkenny,  Kilmoganny, Knocktopher, Kyleva, Lismatigue, London,  Moonrue, Mullinavat, Mylerstown, Newmarket, Romansvalley, Sheepstown, The Quay, Thomastown, Windgap.

Index to Masons

Gargan, Kilkenny
McDonald, Dunbell
Molloy Callan, 
O `Keeffe and sons, Michael St Waterford,
R. O`Keeffe, Michael St Waterford.