Hugginstown Graveyard (old), Parish of Hugginstown, county Kilkenny

There are two graveyards in Hugginstown.  Bernie and I surveyed the old graveyard in June 2015.    Bernie took all the pictures.  This graveyard, which surrounds a roofless church, has 202 memorials; some families still have burial rights in the old graveyard so it can not be regarded as closed for further burials. The church, St Brendan's,  was built circa 1800 and was in use until 1983; it was preserved as a ruin in 2001.

The graveyard entrance is accessed via impressive 19th century wrought iron gates with flanking wrought iron railings.  The old graveyard is beautifully maintained. 

The newer graveyard, which is known as the Calvary Cemetery, will form a subsequent blog posting and had 74 memorials in September 2015; the earliest memorial in the new graveyard is dated 1986. 

The earliest burial in the old graveyard as marked on a memorial is 1810, closely followed by 1814, 1817 and 1819.   There are six memorials bearing dates for the 1820s and 18 memorials bearing dates for the 1830s; these include four memorials with the date 1832 which was the year of the cholera.  There are only ten stones with dates for the 1840s and four stones bearing dates for the 1850s.  There was a fashion for some of the older memorials, particularly for the 1840s period, to have "supporter" stones to the left and right of the main stone, usually just carved with a cross and the initials of the erector of the main headstone; some of these have been removed from their "parent" headstone or have been replaced with one facing east and the other facing west.  This fashion for "supporter" stones can also be seen in Knockmoylan, another Catholic graveyard in the area.   There is a strong continuity of names in both the old and the new graveyard. These are Catholic burial grounds.




A very Catholic symbol, the Lamb of God, decorates this fairly late stone. The carving of the inscription is not of the best.  Look at the wobbly W of who and the  varying depth of the cutting of the letters. Still it is decorated with sprays of shamrock.  The hand that carved the Lamb of God is probably not the same hand that carved the inscription.

There are eleven memorials with poems and verses inscribed on the back of the stones; the majority of these memorials usually date from the 1830s with 2 dating from the 1840s just before the advent of the Famine. Another 2 memorials with poems on the back date from 1838 and 1854 and were sculpted by members of the Beck family of Thomastown.  Inscribing a poem or verse on the back of a memorial would cost the erector extra money and expense.  This would seem to indicate that some of the strong farmers around Hugginstown were not that short of money at the time.  Verses, or versions of verses, are copied from stone to stone or indeed from one graveyard to another in the area.

A beautifully carved verse on the back of No 6, a Holden of Hugginstown stone. Note the term "yous" and the ornate frame around the verse. The carving has been there since circa 1836.  This memorial commemorates members of this same family from 1814 until 2010.

Fairly standard verses are "Stay passengers, see where I lie, as yous (sic - this would have been exactly how this word was pronounced) are now so once was I, and as I am now so yous will be, so think on death and pray for me"  or  " Stand by dear friends, wipe off your tears, Here I must remain until Christ appears, and when He comes I mean to rise unto a life that never dies"

An unusual forged  iron Celtic cross inscribed Mrs Mary Moore, July 3rd 1916 aged 75 years. Dunnamaggan. RIP. The name of the blacksmith who made this memorial is unknown.

Index to names on the memorials
Aylward, Baldwin, Barden, Barron, Barry, Bolger, Bowe, Brenan, Brennan, Brett, Burke. Butler, Buttler, Byrne, Callanan, Carroll, Cassin, Cleary, Cloony, Cochlan, Cody, Comerford, Conway, Costello, Creamer, Cuddihy, Culleton, Dalton, Daniels, Darmody David, Deegan, Delahunty, Donovan, Doran, Dorney,  Dowling, Doyle, Dray, Drea, Duggan, Dungan, Dunphy, Dwyer, Egan, Farrell, Feehan, Fitzpatrick, Fitzgerald, Flinn, Foley, Forristal, Fowley, Gash, Gaule, Geary, Gorman, Grace, Grant, Ginsell, Irish, Haassey (sic), Hayes, Halloran, Hanrahan, Healy, Hearne, Heneberry, Henebery, Henebry,  Hewitson, Hickey, Holden, Jackman, Jordan, Joyce, Keaneally, Kearns, Keating, Kelly, Kennedy, Kennelly, Kenny, Kinsella, Laherty, Lahey, Lahy, Larkin, Lee, Lonergan, Long, Lonrigan, Loughlin, Lyons, Macauley, Mackey, Maher, Malone,  McBride, McCarthy, McGrath, McKenna, Millea, Moloney, Monahan, Moore, Moran, Morriss, Morrissy, Mulcahy, Murphy, Nary, Neill, Nolan, O'Carroll, O'Driscoll, O'Dwyer, O'Farrell, O'Gorman, O'Hanrahan, O'Keeffe, O'Leary, O'Neill,  O'Shea, Phelan, Power, Purcell, Quann, Rafter, Reid, Roche, Rochford, Rohan,  Ryan, St Leger, Scurry, Shea, Sullivan, Suttie, Tennyson, Thompson, Tobin, Touhy, Tovey, Treacy, Wall, Wallace, Walsh, Walshe, Whelan.

This stone is unusual for being completely in Irish; most stones are in English with a smattering of latin such as phrases like Requiescat in Pace.  This stone translates "Remember Michael O'Halloran, Teacher at Moonrue School and originally from the grey stone church of Cork City; he died in the month of May 1948 aged 82 years. Also Maire Eileen Dalton died December 1957 aged 12 years. His wife Brid died 14 December 1979".

Index to places mentioned on the memorials
Aghavillar, Aughavillar, Australia,  Ballaugh, Ballintee, Ballinteskin, Ballybooden, Ballybray, Ballyteskin, Ballygerdra, Ballygowan, Ballygown, Ballyhale, Ballyknock, Barnadown, Barristown, Baysrath, Birmingham, Blackbog, Boolaglass, Bollyglass, Brownstown, Callan, Carrickathnaw, Carrick at naw, Carrickatna, Carrick on Suir,  Carrickshock, Carrigeen, Castlebanny, Castlemorris, Castle Park, Catstown, Cattstown, Cherrymount, Colemore, Condonstown, Coolmore, Cork, Corrickshock, Cotterstown, Croan, Curragh Camp, Cyprus, Dublin, Dungarvan, Dunhill, Dunnamaggin, England, Gorue, Gorrue, Gowlawn, Gracedieu Rd, Grannagh, Hugginstown, Jerpoint Abbey, Keatingtown, Kilcasey, Kilkeasy, Kilcurl, Kildare, Kileavaw, Kilkenny, Knockmayland, Knockmoylan, Knocktopher, Kyle, Kyleva, Leicester, Lismatigue, Liverpool, Lower Hugginstown, Luke Wadding St,  Mabbitstown, Milerstown,  Monroe, Moonrow, Moonrue, Moonrough, Mount Juliet, Mullinavat, Mullinahone, Mylerstown, Newmarket, NSW, Old Court, Piltown, Powers Hill, Redgap, Roanmore Dairy, Sandpits, St Brendan's Church, Sheepstown, Stoneyford. Sydney, Thomastown, Tinvaun, UK, USA, Waterford, Westmoreland.




It is very interesting to examine the non standardised spelling of some of these place names.   Carrickathnaw, is also spelt Carrick at naw and Carrickatna.   Kyleva is also recorded on the memorials as Kileavaw, which is exactly how it is still pronounced but the unprepared might think it a completely different place.  The same can be said for Boolaglass and Bollyglass (actually the same place) and Monroe, Moonrow, Moonrue and Moonrough (again all the same place).  

Index to Masons who have carved stones in this graveyard
B & N Ltd., John St,,    Richard Beck of Thomastown,   Thomas Beck of Thomastown, 
J.Bergin, John St, Watd,    Gargan,     Gargan of Kilkenny,    Gargan McDonald of Waterford and Carrick on Suir,     Gready of Kilkenny,     Hoban of Kilkenny,   Kean of Watd,    Kennedy of Waterford,   Molloy of Callan,    Molloy of Callan and Dungarvan,    Mullan of Kilkenny,   O'Donnell of Philip St, Watd,    O'Donnell of Waterford,      O'Donnell of Waterford and Carrick on Suir,   O'Keeffe of Newgate Waterford,   O'Keeffe and Sons,    O'Keeffe and Sons, Waterford,           P O'Keeffe, Watd,    R. O' Keeffe, Watd,   O'Shea, Callan,    Michael Shea of Mullinahone,   White of Carrick on Suir. 
These spellings are exactly as recorded on the memorials. Watd seems to be the agreed abbreviation for Waterford.     Being so south in the county of Kilkenny, people here are looking towards Waterford City or Callan for their masons but a good few are also travelling as far as Carrick-on-Suir, Tipperary and even Mullinahone in Tipperary to acquire their memorials.  There would, of course, be a reason for travelling as far as Carrick-on-Suir or Mullinahone, Tipperary for a memorial to be made and this might well be wrapped up in the family history.

Very fine and deep carving on a signed stone by Richard Beck of Thomastown. The entire scroll reads "Gloria in Excelsis Deo".   Note the angel with feathered wings; the angel represents the soul of the person commemorated by the stone flying away to Heaven. If you look carefully you will see two little legs amongst the feathers as if the soul is hovering between this world and the next before flying away. This memorial was erected by Edmond Power of Condonstown in memory of his daughter Elenor Power who depd (departed) this life June the 22nd 1838 aged 10 years. Also his father David Power who depd this life 26thJune 1814 aged 67 years.  On the back it reads " I am dead and sleeping here. RIP".

The new Catholic church,  known as The Holy Trinity Church is on the opposite side of the road.
There is a commemorative memorial immediately outside the graveyard on a wall to the right of the entrance. 

Commemorating the War of Independence 1916-1921

Description of the funeral of Mr Philip Aylward, Knockmoylan, 1867

In keeping with our wish to record and collect funeral traditions for county Kilkenny, the following description of the funeral of Mr Philip Aylward of Knockmoylan, in south county Kilkenny, makes worthy reading.  The description is taken from The Kilkenny Journal for Saturday February 16th 1867 but this funeral was also reported in The Carlow Post 23rd February 1867    Philip Aylward, a Catholic, would fit the category of "strong farmer"; that is a man of some substance, a good few acres and well respected within the community. He was the son of Richard Aylward (died 1854) who was described as a wealthy and respectable farmer. His mother was Bridget Brenan who died in 1832.  It is said the whole family was noted for its great piety and natural talents of the highest order.(Carrigan -  History and Antiquities of the Diocese of Ossory 1905).




"It is our melancholy duty to record the death of Mr Philip Aylward of Knockmoylan.  He expired at his residence on Sunday evening the 10th last,  after an illness of some duration.  His death has cast a gloom over the whole parish where he lived and where his virtues were so highly apparent.  He had many of those noble traits which showed so conspicuously in the character of the late pastor of Castlecomer, his illustrious brother.  He had a large and generous  heart and was foremost in every work of religion and charity.  Gentle as a child in the midst of his family, he was a good Christian, a kind husband, an exemplary father and munificent in his charities, and the number who attended his funeral from distant parts of the country gave ample proof how sacred were the ties that bound him to his numerous friends.  He has left a disconsolate widow and a young and interesting family to mourn his loss.   The solemn requiem offered for the repose of his soul was celebrated in the neat little rural chapel of Knockmoylan last Thursday, the Very Rev. Dr Walsh, PP (Parish Priest), of Slieverue presided and the Ven (Venerable) Archdeacon O'Shea, PP of Ballyhale was the celebrant at the High Mass.   There were two chanters, Rev Fintan Phelan, CC (curate) at St Canice's and Rev Joseph Dunphy, CC at St John's and 45 other priests.    After the Mass, the absolution was given.  Then the coffin containing the remains, which was covered with a black cloth, richly mounted and bearing the inscription "Mr Philip Aylward. Died the 10th of Feb 1867 aged 56 years"  was taken from the catafalque. The 45 priests, proceeded by the cross bearer and acolytes, formed a procession two deep and proceeded round the cemetery singing the Benedictus till reaching the grave where the Archdeacon, habited in a black cope of silver tissue, performed the funeral service.   The scene was most impressive as the procession moved round the burial ground - the silence of that lonely spot, the long line of white robed priests, the mournful cadences of the solemn chant were touching in the extreme and the air was soft and balmy as June. Requiescat in Pace"


This was obviously a very impressive funeral.  The newspaper names all the priests attending the funeral but I can't quite add them up to the number of 45 priests said to be in attendance.   Probably the reporter did not get all the names but the priests and curates came from Aughavillar, Ballycallan, Ballyhale, Callan Castlecomer, Danesfort,  Dunnamaggin, Innistioge (sic), Kilmacow, Knocktopher, Mooncoin, Muckalee, Mullinavat, Rosbercon,  Slieverue, Templeorum, Thomastown, Waterford, St Canice's, St Johns and St Kyran's College all last three in Kilkenny city.   And one priest, a Rev James Darcy, whose address is given as New Jersey, North America.


Philip Aylward's  uncle, the Rev William Aylward (died1832) was a priest. His brother Rev Edward Aylward (died 1865) was parish priest at Castlecomer, as referred to in the above newspaper report.  During the Famine years he held Tenant Rights meetings in Castlecomer and was one of the original members of the Council of the Tenant League. Another brother Patrick died when a sub-deacon aged only 24 years.  His brother Thomas (died 1861) became a Christian Brother and his two sisters, Mary (died 1867) and Margaret (died 1880) became nuns in the Presentation Order convent in Castlecomer.   Three of his Brenan uncles were also priests.   It is hardly surprising that there was such a huge turnout of priests at this funeral.


Philip Aylward married in 1845 Catherine, daughter of Edmond Fitzpatrick of Kilcready.  She died in 1905.   According to my records they had 12 children, 7 boys and 5 daughters.   Three of these children, Thomas, Margaret and Katie,  pre-deceased him and are also buried in Knockmoylan graveyard.  That left nine children for the widow to care for, presumably the "young and interesting family" described in the newspaper report.  We have never before seen the word "interesting" applied in this way and wonder exactly what the reporter meant by using this term.   Probably we shall never know........

Dunnamaggan Graveyard, Parish of Dunnamaggan, county Kilkenny

Dunnamaggan graveyard gives the impression of being untidy and not that well kept although the front section, which is the newest section and nearest to the road, is well maintained.  The older section of the graveyard, behind the ruined church, is confusingly laid out. There are piles of broken stones around the ruined church which makes walking hazardous and several pieces of broken 19th century coffins handles lie on the open ground.

We visited the graveyard in 2009 and again again in 2010 and 2011 in order to complete the transcriptions and mapping.  In all at that time we found 98 memorials or memorial plots but it is important to bear in mind that this graveyard is still in use.   The graveyard is large being very long but not very wide. At the far end of the graveyard is a small rath or circular enclosure about 8 feet in diameter.  Carrigan (History and Antiquities of the Diocese of Ossory) suggests it might be the remnants of a hermit's cell.    The small ruined church is dated to the last years of the 12th century or the beginning of the 13th century.  St Leonard is the saint venerated here with a holy well and St Leonard's bush; emigrants leaving Dunnamaggan would take a sprig of the bush away with them as protection against ship wreck.  Similarly during the cholera epidemic of 1832 local people carried around little scraps of the bush to save themselves from the epidemic. Although the memorials do not record exactly what caused people to die, three people are recorded as dying when the cholera epidemic must have been at its most rampant.  These are a lady "Ellen Tobin alias Quinlan who departed this life the 8th May 1832 aged 84 years" and her grandson "John Tobin who departed this life the 8th January 1833 aged 1 and a quarter years" (No. 23) and "Patt Cass, brother of John Cass of Callan who died 5th January 1832 aged 22 years" (No. 94).

This is a very old Catholic graveyard.  Within is a ancient Celtic Cross which belong to the period 1050-1200AD.  This cross is decorated with five carvings of human figures; one of these represents a figure of a bishop or abbot in vestments and with a crozier; another represents a female saint, probably St Catherine with her wheel.    It is allegedly the resting place of one of the seven bishops treacherously done to death on the instruction of Margaret FitzGerald, countess of Granny Castle. The Legend of the Seven bishops is well known in Kilkenny but it was already an old story during the lifetime of the said Margaret Fitzgerald who died in 1539.

Apart from the Celtic Cross, the earliest memorial is dated 1750 with a further ten stones dating from this last half of the 18th century.  Thirteen stones date from 1802 - 1820 and six stones date from between 1827-1839.  There are three stones dating from the 1840s and a further four memorials dating from the 1850s.  

List of surnames inscribed on the memorials
Barry, Behan, Bergin, Brennan, Broderick, Bryan, Burke, Butler, Cahill, Cass, Clooney, Comerford, Condon, Corcoran, Costello, Costigan, Crealy, Croake, Cudihy, Danielly, Davis, Dawson, Deacon, Delany, Dempsey, Doyle, Dunne, Fahy, Fennely, Fitzpatrick, Fleming, Foley, Foran, Forristal, Funchion, Glendon, Grace, Grant, Green, Griffin, Hanrahan, Hawe, Heads, Hearns, Henebry, Hennesy, Hewetson, Holden, Hoyne, Hughes, Johnstone, Kavanagh, Keane, Keeffe, Kennedy, Kenney, Lahart, Lahert, Lannen, Liddiard, Long, Lynch, Maher, Marnell, McBride, McDonald, Meny, Millea, Moore, Morrissey, Murphy, Neel, Nores, O'Brien, O'Donoghue, O'Gorman, O'Keefe, O'Neill,  O'Shea, Peters, Peeters, Phelan, Pollard, Poor, Power, Purcell, Quinlan, Ragget, Roe, Rowe, Ryan, Sexton, Shelly, Stapleton, Tenison, Timon, Tobin, Vennard, Voss, Wallace, Walsh.
List of places named on memorials
America, Archer St, Kilkenny, Ballintee, Ballyhall, Ballytobin, Baurscoobe, Bawscoobe, Belgium, Caherleske, California, Callan, Churchtown, Dublin, Coolmore, Croan, Danganbeg, Danganmore, Delaware, Dunnamaggan (various spellings), Dunnamaggan West,  Fermoy, Garranrobin, Goodwinsgarden, Johnswell, Kells, Kilkenny, Kilmoganny,  Kilree, Knocktopher, Lacken, Ladyswell,  Lijsshenthock Military Cemetery, Loughbrack, Mallardstown, Monaussa, New Road, New South Wales, Newtown, Passage, Rathculbin, Rathduff, Readsbarn, Rockhall, Rossenara, Sheepstown, Shortalstown, Stoneyford, Tinvaun, USA, Vinesgrove, Waterford.
There are some very moving memorials here. One is a memorial on the boundary wall above a Marnell of Dunnamaggan burial plot.

This reads " In memory of Walter Marnell 1st Battalion Irish Guards who sacrificed his life at the Battle of the Somme on 1st July 1916 aged 22.  His body lies in Lijsshenthoek Military Cemetery, Belgium. A beloved son of John and Catherine Marnell of Dunnamaggin.  Lest we forget.".    Guardsman Walter Marnell volunteered for The Irish Guards at Ormskirk, Lancashire, after the outbreak of the war and was shipped to France on 25th May 1915.   He died of his wounds on the first day of the Battle of the Somme.  Lijsshenthoek Military Cemetery is at Poperinge in West Flanders, Belgium.   As it happens it is 100 years since he died on the Somme and that is a very sombre thought. 
Another interesting memorial is attached to stone No. 44. "Erected by James Purcell in memory of his mother Bridget Purcell alias Rowe, Dunnamaggan who died 11th September 1859 aged 55 years. Also of her mother Mary Rowe alias Bryan who died 4th April 1860 aged 82 years and her uncle David Rowe who died 4th October 1868 aged 85 years.  From where the Delaware flows, Neath foreign skies, A sons poor tribute marks, Where his mother lies, And suppliant asks, From the far distant West, Old neighbours prayers, for her eternal rest".    There is a lot of genealogy on this one stone for anyone related to this family and the poem is unique.  We know exactly where James Purcell is in America.   But this stone also represents the deep rooted desire of many emigrants who have made enough money in their new country of residence to record, back in Ireland, the last resting place of their parents and relations.   There can't be a graveyard in the whole of Kilkenny county that does not have a similar memorial erected by an emigrant son or daughter (but not necessarily with a poem).   They are, perhaps, providing the dignity of a headstone or memorial for a family that previously may not have had the resources to erect a memorial but, as is the case here, the son has made it good in America and this is the last thing he can do for his mother.   It is like a determination to mark the spot that belongs to them, probably their traditional burial place.   It is interesting, though, that he makes no mention of his father; I wonder what the story is there?
Finally a shocking and terribly sad memorial of a large Celtic Cross  "Erected by Matthew Walsh in loving memory of his son Patrick, Captain in the IRA.  He was wounded by the British and taken to Fermoy where the amputation of his leg without anaesthetics caused his death 18th May 1921. May his soul rest in peace Amen".    Patrick Walsh was born in Dunnamaggan in 1887 and became a member of the Gaelic League and the Gaelic Athletic Association  and later a member of the Irish Volunteers.   On a morning in May 1921 he was severely wounded during an engagement with British forces at Knocknagress, Tullaroan, county Kilkenny and taken initially to the Kilkenny Military Barracks but later transferred to Fermoy Military Hospital where his leg was amputated.  He was Captain of B Company, 8th Battalion, Kilkenny Brigade.

Knockmoylan Graveyard, Parish of Ballyhale, county Kilkenny

Knockmoylan, in the catholic parish of Ballyhale, lies on the old Kilkenny to Waterford Road midway between Ballyhale itself and Mullinavat.  This is strong Walsh territory edging as it does on to the area known as the Walsh Mountains. At one time the entire townland of Knockmoylan belonged to the Walsh family.   The church at the centre of this well maintained graveyard was built in 1812 and is known as All Saints Catholic Church. The graveyard is still in use.   Despite the 1812 date for the church the earliest memorials in the graveyard date from 1832 and 1833; there are 7 memorials dating from the 1840s and another 7 dating from the 1850s.

There is evidence of very fine stone engraving and carving dating from this early period.  In all there were 84 memorials, or memorial plots, in the graveyard which was surveyed in 2010.   Knockmoylan can be spelt as Knockmoilan and Knockmoyland.  The spelling of place names on the memorials can be very inconsistent such as Crobally, Crolybally and Crowbally  And as per as usual here in Kilkenny there is at least one stone, erected by an exile in a foreign land, as a memorial to parents and family at the traditional family burial place.  Also evidence of the useful practice (for family historians) of recording on a headstone those members of the family who have died overseas.

Table top tomb erected by Mr Richard Aylward of Knockmoyland to his son Rev. Patrick Aylward who died in 1859 aged 24 years.  

Index of names
Aylward, Anderson, Bowe, Brenen, Cain, Cantwell, Cashin, Cass, Cassin, Coady, Collins, Dalton, Darmody, Darmedy, Dermody, Dempsey, Doherty, Doody, Doyle, Dunphy, Drennan, Dywer, Fitzgerald, Fitzpatrick, Fleming, Grannan, Grant, Hanrahan, Healy, Hogan, Holden, Holehan, Holohan, Hurley, Jones, Kearns, Kelly, Kenneally, Lawlor, Mackey, Madden, Maher, Malone, Mason, McBride, McCarthy, McDonald, McGrath, Moloney, Morrisey, Morton, Murphy, O'Brien, O'Dwyer, O'Neill, O'Shea, O'Sullivan, Phelan ,Power,  Raftice, Reade, Reid, Reilly, Rocket, Ryan, Sullivan, Walsh, Walshe, Wemyss, Whelan.
Index of places mentioned on the memorials
America, Australia, Ballinabola, Ballybray, Ballybrushen, Ballytarsna, Ballytarsney, Barnsley, Brighton. California, Castlebanny, Castlegannon, Chicago, Clanassy, Cooleraheen, Coolmean, Coolmeen, Coolroemore, Cor......(illegible), Cottierstown, Cotterstown, Crobally, Crolybally, Cross Gates, Crowbally, Derrylackey, Dunboyne Establishment, Glendonnell, Gorrue, Kilcready,  Kilkeasy, Kilkenny, Kilkenny county, Kill, Kiltorcan, Knockmore, Knockmoylan, Knockmoyland, Knocktopher, Legan, Liverpool, Lukeswell, Maynooth, Mullinakill, Mullinavat, Newchapel, New Zealand, Rosboultra, Sacremento, St Kyran's College, South Australia, Sussex, Thomas St, Thomastown, USA, Waterford, Waterford city, Waterford county, Yorkshire.
Index of Stonemasons
Being so near Waterford city it is not surprising that some people erecting memorials have looked towards Waterford rather than Kilkenny for their stonemasons.  These Waterford masons  are:-  Flynn of Waterford,   Patk Kenny of New Street, Waterford,   O'Donnell,  Phillip St, Waterford,   O'Keeffe and Sons, Michael Street, Waterford. Other masons are Molloy, Molloy of Callan and  O'Shea of Castlebanny. 
Knockmoylan graveyard has several examples of older upright stones with what might be described as small "supporter" stones immediately to the left and right of the main stone.  These side "supporter" stones are usually just carved with a cross and the initials of the erector of the main headstone.  It is reminiscent of "supporters" used either side of a heraldic device.  This style of "supporters" to the main memorial seems to become popular in the 1840s and does not survive much beyond the 1850s and is evident elsewhere around the area in catholic graveyards such as at Hugginstown;  it does not seem to be practiced by those of the Protestant faith.   Having such "supporters" would have added expense to the erection of the main headstone.    No 39 on our list "Erected by John Fleming of Ballybrushen in loving memory of his beloved wife Elizabeth Fleming alias Phelan who depd (departed) this life Aug 25th 1842 aged 45 years" has just such "supporters" to the left and right of the main stone and marked simply  "JF".

No 30 on our list above, a beautiful old and lichen encrusted stone "Erected by the Widow Aylward of Lukeswell in memory of her husband John Aylward who departed this life December 17th 1849 aged 71 years". Her sons Thomas Aylward and Edmond Aylward are also mentioned on the stone but there are two "supporters" on either side of the headstone simply marked WA (standing for Widow Aylward).    This is a rare example of a woman erecting "supporters" as usually we have found they are erected by a man.    Such "supporters"  which have become separated from their main headstone, for example during a burial when things get moved around,  can confuse people into thinking they are independent headstones but this is unlikely to be the case.
Another such headstone with "supporters"on either side simply marked on each supporter JM, is No 5 on our list which reads "Erected by James Murphy of the city of Waterford in memory of his father John Murphy of Ballinabola who departed this life 25th June 1841 aged 60 years".

There is one First World War memorial which is in the burial plot of the Ryans of Castlegannon (No 29).  This is to 160891 Sapper P Ryan, Royal Engineers, who died 6th November 1918.