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.