Fiddown Church , Parish of Fiddown, county Kilkenny

This is another of those ancient and very neglected graveyard sites, although it is now adjacent to a very busy and dangerous road  between Waterford and Carrick on Suir.   The ancient churchyard marks the site of a 6th century monastery founded by St Mo-Medog, also spelt St Momhaedhog, or Momoedoe.  Here stood in Fiddown an old church in the English style which was erected about the year 1200.  A very beautiful Holy water font was found here in 1805 in what was then called the "church field"; this font was removed to Piltown chapel and inserted in the wall of the chapel according to Carrigan (History of the Diocese of Ossory. Vol 4. 1905)   A picturesque small scale church consisting of a nave and a chancel was rebuilt and beautified by the Rev. Robert Watts, the Protestant rector in 1747; this was used as a Protestant church up to about 1870.  The nave was then taken down but the chancel retained to serve as a mortuary chapel at Protestant burials and as a mausoleum for the Briscoe and Bessborough families. (Please note that this can also be spelt Besborough and is not a typographical error when so spelt). Fixed to the wall over the east window is a stone effigy in relief representing the head and neck of a female with a crown of five points on her head; this is believed to be the virgin Mary.  The graveyard was walled about 1775 but previous to this the graveyard extended considerably beyond its present boundaries, both to the east and west sides.  The Irish Georgian Society took an interest in this mausoleum in the late 1960s and they restored and painted it at that time; this accounts for the Irish Georgian Society plaque now in the mausoleum.  Of the 48 townlands in the civil parish of Fiddown, 24 were the property of Lord Bessborough, by far the biggest landlord in the area.  In the Abstracts of Returns on the State of Popery 1766 the Protestant rector William Watts recorded 203 Popish families and 85 Protestant families in  the Union of Fiddown. He records the Catholic priest at this time as Matthias Lanigan. 
Fiddown is also recorded as being in the Roman Catholic parish of Templeorum.   This graveyard is of considerable interest, though much overgrown, and contains both Protestant and Catholic burials. 

Somewhere in the graveyard, and yet to be located by us, are some medieval tomb fragments from the ancient church site at Kilmodalla, alias Kildaton, which was destroyed in 1830 in order to make way for new stables at Lord Bessborough demesne at Piltown.  These tomb fragments include at least one from the hand of the famous Kilkenny stone carver Rory O'Tunney; this is the tomb of Redmond Daton, alias D'Autun of Kildaton and his wife Helen Butler dated circa 1550,  and is signed Roricus otyyne.  We have not found an illustration of this stone and neither is it listed in John Hunt's book Irish Medieval Figure Sculpture 1200-1600. Irish University Press and Sothebys.  2 Vols. 1974. Kildaton, also called Kilmodalla, was the property of the Daton family, as was Cloncunny,  but forfeited from them during the 17th century.  Kilmodalla was their traditional burial place.  We know that somewhere in the graveyard at Fiddown there is a fine tomb to Peter Walsh of Belline, catholic agent to Lord Bessborough and a keen antiquarian, Irish speaker and scholar; he died in 1819.  There is also a monument to his parents John Walsh of Piltown who died in 1792 aged 80 years and Catherine Butler who died in 1760 aged 30 years. We have yet to find these stones and to survey the external graveyard which we are really looking forward to undertaking. There is a pedigree for Walsh of Fanningstown, the line to which Peter Walsh of Belline belongs, in Burke's Landed Gentry of Ireland (1912); this states that Katherine (sic)was of Knocktopher, county Kilkenny and John Walsh's first wife.   We are currently working on adding to this printed Walsh pedigree.    Another well documented memorial is a horizontal slab bearing the inscription "Here lyeth the body of Edward Briscoe of Crofton in the County of Cumberland in England, who departed this life the 20th day of July anno Dom 1709 and in the 58th year of his age"
For the moment though we have access to the interior of the mausoleum and recorded exactly the inscriptions on the 26 memorials found there.

List of memorials starting immediately to the left of the entrance door
1. Small stone plaque. This chapel was restored by Ambrose Congreve, grandson of the 8th Earl of Bessborough, Mary widow of the 10th Earl and Madeleine, widow of the 11th Earl.
2. Below the window. A plaque of white marble on black marble.  Signed by mason Browne & co, Bristol.  In loving memory of Eliza Cecilia Briscoe wife of Edward Briscoe Esq., late Captain 41st Regiment (The Welsh) and daughter of Robert Briscoe Esq., She fell asleep in Jesus at Bournemouth 9th September 1883. "Them that sleep in Jesus will god bring with Him".
3. White marble plaque on black marble. Signed I Carew fecit Waterford.  In the vault at the back of this lies deposited the remains of Rebecca daughter of the late Edwd Briscoe Esq., of Garnerea and wife of Wm Osborne Esq., of Silverspring who died in England at the  Bristol Hot springs where she went for the benefit of her health the 19th Sepbr 1798 aged 33 years and 3 months.  Fair was her form, more fair her gentle mind, where virtue, sense and piety combined, to wedded love gave friendships highest test, endeared the wife and made the husband blessed, now in widowed grief erects this sacred stone to make her virtues and his sorrowes known.

4. Positioned beneath No 3 above. A white marble plaque on black marble. In memory of Edward  Briscoe Late Captain 41st Regt The Welsh, son of Edward Villiers Brisoce of Willmount, born June 2nd 1792, Ensign 87th Regt 1809, engaged at Busaco Albuhera where he carried the colours and the siege of Badejos. He served as Brigade Major 41st Regt in the Burmese War 1826, died February 2nd 1881.
5. White marble plaque on black marble. Top stone, Sacred to the memory of Eliza Thomasina Briscoe wife of the above (sic) Henry Harrison Briscoe who died at Cloncunny in her 65th years Febry 13th 1875. Also to the memory of Edward William Briscoe, eldest son of the above who died at San Marion Thomasina Briscoe youngest daughter of the above who died at Cloncunny in her 35th year Febry 6th 1881.
6. White marble on black marble plaque. Below stone No 5.  In remembrance of Henry Harrison Brisoce Esq., of Cloncunny who died in Inverness Novr 14 1864 aged 65.

7. Massive and impressive memorial with 4 red/orange marble pillars, plus red marble with white marble plaque on a carving of a sarcophagus of Egyptian marble standing on large carved animal feet. Top of tomb decorated by two figures, from waist up, presumably the Earl and the Countess, dressed in what looks like roman togas. Signed by Guils Atkinson, London fecit.  The inscriptions reads "Under the marble lie the remains of Brabazon Ponsonby, Earl of Bessborough, Viscount Duncannon of Sysonby in Leicester Shire in Great Britain and of Sarah his wife Grand Daughter and heiress to Primate Margetson. The virtues of their private lives need not be here recited, they are engraved in the hearts and minds of many who will deliver them from one generation to another beyond the duration of a perishable tomb.  This monument is erected not as a necessary memorial to them but as a testimony of gratitude and respect owing from their son William Earl of Bessborough.  He had the honour of serving his majesty King George the 2nd in several public employments of great trust and dignity and departed this life July 1758 aged 81. She in May 1733 aged 52".  (According to Burke's Peerage 1893 Brabazon Ponsonby married 1stly, Sarah widow of Hugh Colville and daughter of James Margetson Esq., and grand-daughter of the most Rev James Margetson D.D. Archbishop of Armagh, and had issue.  He married 2ndly in 1733 Elizabeth daughter and co-heir of John Sankey of Tenelick, county Longford butr had no issue by this second wife.  Brabazon Ponsonby died 4th July 1758 and was succeeded by his son William 2nd Earl of Bessborough, who died in 1793 and who served George 3rd in several high positions including Lord of the Treasury and Post Master General. Burke does not state which positions were held by Brabazon Ponsonby, 1st Earl of Bessborough and who served King George 2nd .)

8. Ornate black and white marbl , decorated at the bottom of the panel by a supporting cherub  with the Ponsonby arms impaling Moore.  Here lies ye body of Mary ye wife of the Honble Coll William Ponsonby of Besborough, granddaughter of ye Right Honble ye Earle of Drogheda by her father and the Earle of Meath by her mother.  And her virtues were suitable to her birth. She departed this life the sixth day of May 1713 in ye 52nd year of her age.
9. Left of altar. Black marble surrounded by white marble. This chancel was rebuilt and beautified by Revd Robert Watts M.A. Dean of St Canice and Vicar of Fiddown 1747 who after a contest at law and in equity carried on for nineteen years and fifteen hundred pounds expended by him recovered the Great Tithes of the Parish from the Subtractor for the Benefit of all succeeding incumbents.  Quatenus nobis Denegatur dui Vivere Relinquamus aliquid que nos vixisse testemur.

10, Behind altar.  Stained glass window inserted at top of larger plain glass. This reads " Pro Rege lege Greae".

11. Right of Altar. Top panel.  Here lies ye body of Sir John Besborough who departed this life Anno Dom 1668 in ye 60th year of his age.
12. Immediately below the above plaque.  In memory of William Wentworth Brabazon Ponsonby, second son of John William Viscount Duncannon and Maria his wife. born Dec 19th 1812. Died at 8th July 1831 on board HMS Madagascar, who was buried at Napuli in Greece.
13. Small plaque standing on floor immediately below the above memorial. Irish Georgian Society. In grateful memory of George Murphy (1926-1994) Chicago Illinois, Co-Founder Chicago Chapter. George and Mary loved Ireland.
14. Signed by maker Kidwell, London fecit. Gulielmi Ponsonby Uice Comitis Duncannon Quod Mortuum est Hic Jacet Depositum Obiit Die Nov 17 An Dom: 1724 Aeta 67, Siste Viator & Memento Mori.
15. In memory of Anthony George Brabazon Ponsonby Fourth son of John William Viscount Duncannon and Maria his wife, Born May 17th 1820. died at Bessborough October 6th 1841.
16. Top plaque. a gothic mural monument in Caen stone.   In memory of John William Ponsonby 4th Earl of Bessborough who was born on the 31st April 1781 and died on the 16th May 1847 while holding office of Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, and Maria Vicountess Duncannon, his wife, daughter of John Fane 10th Earl of Westmoreland, who was born on the 11th May 1787 and died on the 19th March 1834.
17. Brass and placed below the above plaque. Emily Charlotte Mary Ponsonby and daughter of John William 4th Earl of Bessborough. born 17th February 1817, died 3rd February 1877. Till the day break and the shadows flee away.
18. Plaque made by F. Tatham, London. In memory of Frances Charlotte daughter of John George, Earl of Durham and wife of the Honble John George Brabazon married Sepbr 7 1835. Died Decr 17 1835 in the 23rd year of her age.
19. Top plaque in streaked alabaster, decorated with angels..  Erected by Caroline Amelia Countess of Bessborough in loving memory of John George Brabazon Ponsonby 5th Earl of Bessborough who was born 4th Oct 1809 and died 28 Jany 1880. Lord now lettest thy servant depart in peace.
20. Below the above memorial.  Frederick Edward Neuflize Ponsonby the 10th Earl of Bessborough 1913-1993. Member of the European Parliament 1972-1979.
21. Brass and top plaque. Sacred to the memory of Alfred Philip Brisoce of this parish who passed way March 18 1890 aged 53 years.
22. Back marble below above brass plaque.  Edward Briscoe of Cloncunny October 1851 aged 96 years, buried at Onchan, Isle of Man. Eiza his wife, daughter of Daniel Osborne Febraury 1837 aged 80 years, buried at Killaspy, Edward his son May 1815 aged 20 years, buried at St Saviour's London.

23. White marble plaque. Athur Mountifort Longfield Ponsonby, the 11th Earl of Bessborough 1912-2002.
24. Black marble slab on floor with brass insert. In Memoriam. Beneath this stone are laid the remains of John George Brabazon, 5th Earl of Bessborough born Oct 4th 1809. Died at Bessborough Jan 28th 1880. And also of Caroline Amelia Countess of Bessborough, his wife, born June 18th 1819. Died at Bessborough April 30th 1890. Waiting for the adoption to wit  the redemption of our body. Romans 8.23.
25. Black marble slab on floor with lozenge shaped brass plaque insert.  Topped with crest. Hic jacit Frederick George Brabazon sexii comtis de Bessborough qui decessit in pace XII die Martis MDCCCXCV. Atet LXXIX in christo spes.
26. Lecturn. Standing by the altar. A small brass plaque is attached to the wooden top of the lecturn. In memoriam William Osborne Briscoe Esq., M.D. Garnareah, Pilltown, obit Feby 6th 1874.

List of masons who signed memorials in the mausoleum
Guils Atkinson, London 7
Browne & co, Bristol 1
Carew, Waterford 3
Kidwell, London 14
F. Tatham, London 18




For further reading see:-
a) Michael O'Donnell. The Ponsonby and Briscoe Mausoleum in Fiddown in Decies No XXXIV. Spring 1987 (You can get this in full and online from the Waterford Library).
b) Daniel Dowling. Kildalton and its Past in Decies No XXXIII Summer 1986.
c) Rev . T.J Clohosey. The Ponsonbys and Fiddown Church in Old Kilkenny Review. 1967 No 19.


For other Bessborough Memorials see: Bessborough Memorials in Derby Cathedral, England which we posted on 28/1/2018.

The Thomple Graveyard, Parish of Thomastown, county Kilkenny

The Thomple,Thomple Tha Haun,Thompletheàghawin, The Church of Grenan, Thomastown Co Kilkenny.

East window

The name of this local early Irish christian saint, St Teghàn survives in the name of this Church and the many interpretations of it.  The Church stands is relief on the west hill above the Nore valley on the main access route to the Castle of Grenan. Thomas FitzAnthony who with his many Norman settlers oversaw the development of the town of Grenan, present day Thomastown. Thomastown means the town of Fitz (son of) Anthony.

Mary Casteleyn and myself surveyed and recorded this graveyard in 2015. A housing estate now sweeps right up to the boundary of this enclosed graveyard.  The surrounding graveyard wall has been broken allowing access, unfortunately of animals, to the interior of the enclosure.  There has been deterioration noticably since this graveyard was surveyed some time ago  by local historian Jerry Doyle and his son Joe.

There are signs of vandalism the graveyard is in a sorry state many broken stones lying around.

The ruined church has a magnificently carved east window.

The inscriptions are as follows;

1. James S. Blake of Ballinamona Co Kilkenny who died 16th Sept 1873 aged 56 years.

Erected by Cornelia his wife.

Blessed are those worthy, whom the Lord, when He shall find them watching St. John.X11.27.

2. Isidore Blake born June 16th 1854,  Died May 1856.

Isidore Blake  Ballinamona

Dates noted on the Memorial of Isodore

Parents James S. and Cornelia Blake Ballinamona, and on the right, within the railing their child Isidore

3. Sacred to the memory of Mr Robert Clifford of Mill View who departed this life on the 9th day of April 18(5?)1 in the (uncut) year of this age.

4. Mr John Duke late of Thomastown, Apothecary who departed this life September 5th 1815.

Here also interred his father and mother, grandfather and grandmother, aunt and sisters Mary Anne and Rebecca.  Also his infant nephew Wilm Duke who died April 25th? 1819 aged 7 months.

Also Mr Samuel Allen Duke who departed this life the 20th (30th)? day  of March in the year of our Lord 1819 in the 53rd ? of his age.

5.  J  Cody R.I.P.

6. Here lieth interd near the remains of his father Walter Devereaux and his mother Elenor Devereaux als Grace, the body of Frencis Devereaux who departed this life on the 26th of May 1794 aged 56 years. Erected by his wife Elenor Devereaux als Reade.

Iconography on this tomb; Ciboria each side of Sunburst containing within the rays the Christogram IHS with a cross resting on the bar of the H... fading. Stone may not be in its original position.

7. Devereaux vault below the church ruin broken open long since.

8. Sacred to the memory Anthony and Mary Graves ..see (d) below

9. Small stone with ancient Crucifix used as a marker or ancient grave, no name.

10. Small stone of Crucifixion on internal boundary  north wall outside of Church window.

 

Insert in north wall

11. Broken and partial stone. To the memory of....Somerset Rob..youngest ..Rev Ric...who d...

The earlier recording mentioned above and kindly clarified for us by Joe Doyle reads

"To the memory of Somerset Robert Cooke youngest son of Rev. Richard Cooke who departed this life on Saturday August the? 1815 aged?"

James B Leslie in his book Ossory Clergy under Thomastown p.366 records the following Rev. Richard Cooke was appointed Rector and Vicar of St Mary's Thomastown on 3rd July 1824. He was first appointed Curate to Ennisnag in 1817. He married Harriet Henrietta French  in 1808 he had sons John, Richard, and Somerset Robert (d) 7th August 1836 aged 16 years.

He had three daughters Harriet, Frances and Anne.

Rev. Richard died 5th Nov. 1835 Tomb being located at Grennan Thomastown.

12. The white marble base of this tomb found only, by us but listed in the earlier recording as:-

Henry Innes died  August 31st 1816 aged 15 years. Bessie Innes died January 21st 1855 aged 46 years.

13. From Vol 6 (1906/7) of the Memorials of the Dead and collected by Miss Vigors 

'Lieutenant Colonel Nichols died 1939'

We did not find this stone.

East Window

14. A note from the same volume of Memorials of the Dead

states that Mrs James Graves was the wife of the Rev. James Graves.  We did not find a memorial to Mrs James Graves in June 2015.

I found on line at http://www.gravesfa.org/gen364/htm the following references to the Graves Family burials at the Thomple for which there are no visible headstones or memorials. The information on this website concerning these Graves family burials at the Thomple are taken from a private manuscript noted as in the possession of Mrs R.E. Graves, Greedy's Orchard, Halse, Taunton in Devon, England and from Extracts taken from Thomastown Registers done by Rev. James Graves in 1871 and Anna Maria Barrington and copied by R. E. Graves in 1912. These references have not been consulted by us but they do have the ring of authenticity.

a) Richard Graves born 1713, died 1813 and buried in Thomple Tha Haun.

Richard was married to Margaret Bull born 1720, daughter of James Bull of Thomastown.

Margaret is buried at Thomastown but we do not have a date of death for her.

b) Charles Graves born Sept 1765 buried  1784 at Thomastown.

c) Margaret Graves born 1755 died 1786 and buried in Thomple Tha Haun.

d) Anthony Graves, Abbeyview House, Thomastown born 10th July 1751 died 31st January 1816 and buried at the Thomple Tha Haun.  His wife Mary Graves nèe Brett, Abbeyview House, died 4th April 1819 and buried at the Thomple Tha Haun.

e) Richard Graves bapt 14th Sept 1772 died Thomastown at 7 (years).

f) Edward Graves died at 17 (years).

g) Margaret Derenzi nèe Graves died 14th March 1828, Ballystraw, buried in the Thomple Tha Haun.

She was the wife of Captain Banjamin Derenzi.

h) James Mercer Graves, M.D Edinburgh, died at Abbeyview 21st May 1819 and buried at the Thomple Tha Haun.

i) Jane Mercer Graves never married, died 9th November 1851 and buried at the Thomple Tha Haun burial ground at Thomastown..

j) Charlotte Graves baptised 20th September 1794 and died in infancy.

k) Lydia graves died 1806 aged 14 years and buried in the Thomple Tha Haun.

l) James Graves was buried in 1788 at Thomastown. His wife Mary Flanagan born in 1762 died in 1842.

m) Elizabeth (Bessy) Graves Davis, Millview, Thomastown, died 26th July 1813 and buried at Thomple Tha Haun. She was wife of Amyas Davis.

n) Julia Davis died young.

o)William Cameron Graves, Grennan Cottage, Thomastown. Also of Wellington, Bannow, County Wexford, born 20th Jan 1820, died 23 May 1846 and  buried in the  Thomple Tha Haun.

p) Maria Graves died 25th February 1849 at Abbeyview and buried at the Thomple Tha Haun.

Taken from the Clergy of Ossory:-  Rev.James Graves was eldest son of Rev. Richard Graves and his wife Johana Anderson (whom he married 10th April 1813 at Kilkenny).

Rev. James was born in Kilkenny, entered TCD July 1st 1834 aged 19 years and B.A. in 1839.

He married Maria Dann Nicholls the daughter of Liet-Col William Dann Nicholls, R. A.

Rev. James Graves formed the Kilkenny Archaelogical Society with Prim in 1849.

He died on 20th March 1886. His tombstone in St Canices Cathedral, Kilkenny is a Celtic Cross designed by R Langrishe and modelled on the |High Cross of Clonmacnoise and is

inscribed " In loving memory of Revd. James Graves, Rector of Inisnag A. D. 1863- 86. Born 1816 Died 20th March 1886"

Index to names

Blake, 1,2. 

Brett, d).

Cameron, o). 

Clifford, 3.

Duke, 4.

Cody, 5.

Cooke, 11.

Davis, m) n)

Derenzi, g).

Devereaux, 6, 7.

Flanagan, l).  

Grace,  6. 

Graves, 8, 14. a), b,) c), d), e), g), h,) i), j),k),l),m),o),p).

Innes 12.

Mercer, h) i).

Nicholls, 13.

Reade, 6.

A beautiful window in need of protection

Index of Places 

Abbeyview, h) p)

Abbeyview House, d)

Ballinamona, 1.

Ballystraw, g)

Bannow, o)

Edinburgh, h)

Grennan, 11

Grennan Cottage, o)

Kilkenny county,  1

Mill View, 3

Millview, m)

Thomastown, 4, b) d ) e) i) l) o)

Wellington, o)

Wexford, o)

List of Occupations

Apothecary 4

Doctor h)

Rector 11, 14.

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

In Irish Tullaherin means the dry green land.  It is perfectly named as the townland is slightly elevated containing rich pasture land and surrounded by low lying bog and moor.  This graveyard sits in a very old monastic site and Tullaherin was at one time an Episcopal See;  that position was terminated in 1118 by the Synod of Rath -breasail.   Carrigan dates the ruined church to about two centuries prior to the Norman invasion of Ireland in the 12th century. This gives an approximate date for the ruin as the 10th century.  As usual Bernie and I have worked on surveying this graveyard together.




View of the memorials inside the ruined church at Tullaherin

The Round Tower at Tullaherin stands within a few yards of the ruined church, is 73 feet high; according to Carrigan this tower is much older than the oldest part of the church.  The lower windows of the tower appear to be at least 7 centuries earlier than those at the top.

Placed just near the Round Tower is a damaged pillar stone with a portion of an Ogham inscription which has been read as FIR.......

It is obvious that the graveyard has been in use for centuries.  There are many stones bearing dates for the 18th century; the earliest dates on stones are 1737, 1744, 1745, 1750, 1752, 1756, 1759, 1762, 1763, 1764, 1765, 1766, 1767, 1768, 1771, 1772, 1773, 1774 1776, 1777 onwards up to to 6 stones bearing the date 1799.  Those stones bearing dates from 1800 to 1850 are numerous.  This makes the genealogy and family history on these memorials invaluable as several people listed have been born in the 17th century.


Many Kilkenny city merchant families appear to have their burial places here at Tullaherin.  There are six Deloughry/DeLoughry memorials here, the earliest from 1776.  One of these memorials is to David Richard Deloughry, Freeman of London who died in 1839 and Thomas James Deloughry, also a Freeman of London who died in 1827; on this stone are other children of David and Susanna Deloughry.  Her surname is  Winchester and they are recorded as marrying in St Giles, Cripplegate, City of London on 16th February 1802.  There may have been an earlier marriage for David as a child Mary Deloughry was born 20th Dec 1795.    Also mentioned are the grandparents of the children Thomas and Ellen Deloughry of Tullaherin parish.  This is a really interesting family as Peter De Loughry, born in 1882, was responsible for making the key that was used to get DeValera out of Lincoln gaol.  The Deloughry family had moved from Tullaherin into Kilkenny city in 1816 and had established an iron and brass foundry business in Parliament Street.
Headstones and memorials numbers 81 and 82 are to the O'Donnell family of Curraghlain; stones number 83,84, and 85 are to the same family but then spelt Dannell (and in one case Donnelly) of Courahlan (various spellings) date from 1756.  There are three other O'Donnell stones, in this case dating from 1796 but these people are of Danesrath and Danesforth


Stone 44 Erected by Thomas Cullen of Enisnag in memory of his father Michael Cullen and mother Margaret Cullen alias Hughes; they both died in the 1860s. Also recorded on are other members of the family including Thomas Cullen of Woollengrange who died in 1918. For more details of the Cullen family of Wollengrange see the article "A 1937 picnic and house dance in Wollengrange" by Patricia Cullen (In the Shadow of the Steeple. Number 11. 2012).

In 2010 Duchas Tullaherin Heritage Society erected a useful map of the memorials in the old graveyard and inside the ruined church.   This map stands inside the new graveyard just at the entrance to the older section; it is indexed by name and identifies the location of each grave but does not give you the full inscriptions of each memorial. 

List of names inscribed on the memorials
Birmingham, Bolger, Brophy, Bryan, Byrne, Butler, Cahill, Carroll, Cashin, Cody, Comerford, Comford, Connell, Cooley, Cormack, Corr, Cowley, Cullen, Cummins, Dalton, Dannell, Davis, Deady, Delaney, Deloughry, DeLoughry, Denefe, Donnelly, Dooley, Dooly, Doran, Dowling, Dowran, Drennan, Dunn/Dunne, Evens, Fallon, Fannon, Fitzgerald, Fleming, Forrestal, Fowler, Freney, Galavan, Gardner, Goolay, Gowlay, Grace, Grady, Growley, Hanlon, Harahan, Hayden, Headen, Healy, Holohan, Hughes, Karney, Kavanagh, Kearney, Kelly, Kennedy, Kenny, Lannon, Lawlor, Long, Lyons, Magner, Magrath, Mahony, Malone, March(?), McNamara, Mulroney, Mulrony, Morris, Murphy, Mylan,  Neill, Nowlan, O'Donnell, O'Farrell, Peart, Pembroke, Perth, Phelan, Power, Purcell, Quigley, Quirk, Rafter, Read, Reed, Renehan, Roth/Rothe, Ryan, Shortal/Shortall, Spruhan, Teahan, Tobin, Wall, Walsh/Walshe.

List of places inscribed on the memorials
America, Ballanabooley, Ballyhohan/Ballykohan, Ballynabola, Ballyreddan, Barrowsland, Bishop's Lough, Bishopslough, Bramblestown, Castlecreen, Clashwilliam,  Cloohs......., Couraghlan, Cuiralahan, Curraghlain, Danesforth, Danesrath, Dublin, Dunbell, Dungarvan, England, Enisnag, Furhouse, Graigue, Highrath, Hudson City, Inisnag, Jerpoint,  Kilbline, Kilfane, Kilkenny, Kilkenny city of, Kilkenny county of, Kilkenny Liberties of the city, Killarney, Kilmacahill, Kilminok,  London, Maddoxtown, Neigham, New York, Newhouse, Newtown, Outrath, Powerstown, Raheenroach, Rathduff, Scart, Schorth, St Philip's Church Bristol, Stroan, Sugarstown, Thomastown, Tinecarna, Tullaherin, Tullow, USA, Warrington, Woollengrange.
Occupations listed on the memorials
Alderman, Doctor,  Freeman of the city of London, Priest.
Masons
The memorials are unsigned. No 75(Shortal) however is of outstanding quality of carving.  In design and presentation it is unlike anything else we have found, as yet, in county Kilkenny. The style is similar to those carved by Denis Cullen of Monaseed, with Roman soldiers on either side of the central cross, but not entirely the same as this stone at Tullaherin seems to have two carved archangels wielding large crucifixes, but wearing what seems to be Roman clothing.

It is possible that whoever carved this stone had seen Cullen's headstones at Kilnahue Churchyard, Gorey, Wexford, and had been inspired by them.  This is a very high class memorial stone, beautifully crafted and must have been very expensive in its day; it is now subject to erosion.  See: Gerry Mullins, Kilnahue Churchyard, Gorey; a survey of the iconography and inscriptions. Gorey Churchyard Heritage Group. 2001. 

Stone No 75 reads " Here Lieth Interred the Body of Thomas Shortal, He died May the 2nd 1780 Aged 70 Years Also the Body of Michael Shortal His Unkle. May They Rest in Peace Amen,




Tullaherin Graveyard (new), Parish of Tullaherin, county Kilkenny

There are two sections to the graveyard at Tullaherin.  This survey relates to the newer part of the graveyard which is divided from the ruined church, round tower and older section of the graveyard by a stone wall.

The old stone style inset into the dividing wall between the old and new graveyard.

The survey of the older graveyard, which we will list separately, will without doubt have some of the same families names that appear this newer section of the graveyard.  Currently are 106 memorials in the new graveyard but this is a graveyard still in use and burials still take place here.  The oldest memorials in this part of the graveyard date from the 1930s and 1940s. There is some overlap though. The older graveyard has many memorials dating from the 18th century but there are some later dates appearing on these memorials in the older part of the graveyard up to the 1940s.  There is a priests section here with 6 memorials to former parish priests. there are also at least 4 memorials to members of the Old IRA; that is men who fought in the War of Independence.  There is an ogham stone in this graveyard.  As always both Bernie and myself have worked together in surveying this site.

Index of names appearing on memorials
Aylward,  Barcoe, Barry, Bennett, Bergin, Blackmore, Bollard, Brennan, Breathanch (Walsh), Burke, Butler, Byrne, Cahalane, Cahill, Carroll,  Cassin, Cass, Cleere, Clinton, Cody, Coleman, Conway, Corcoran, Coyne, Cuddihy, Cullen, Dobbyn, Drennan, Dullard, Dunne, Egan, Farrell, Fennelly, Fitzgerald, Fleming, Galway, Gibbons, Goolay, Greene, Hanrahan, Heskin, Hogan, Holahan, Holden, Holland, Keaney, Kelly, Lawler, Lehane, Lennon, Lyons, Magee, Maher, Malone, McGauren, McGrath, Menzies, Millett, Moran, Moylan, Muldowney, Murphy, Murray, Oliver, O'Brien, O'Connell, O'Connor, O'Donnell. O'Gorman, O'Mahony, O'Neill, O'Reilly,  O'Sullivan,                     O Ciardhubhain, O h-Ulldcaer, Nolan, Phillips, Pierce, Power, Prendergast, Purcell, Reddy, Robinson, Roche, Roe, Ryan, Skehan Somers, Sullivan,  Suton, tobin, Wall, Wallace, Walpole, Walsh, White.

This is part of the dividing wall between the old and newer part of the graveyard. Note the skull carved into the top right hand of the large supporting stone.

Index of places recorded on the memorials
Baile Sugradh, Balinaboola, Ballylinch, Ballymurphy, Barronsland, Beechpark, Bennettsbridge, Bishopslough, Bishoplough House, Blackrock, Browneford, Caran, Castlefield, Castlegarden, Castle Garden, Cloughscegg, Coppenagh, Corbally, county Cork, Crowbally, Cuanogue, Dublin, Dunbell, Dundrum, Dungarven, Fermaagh, Galway, Inistioge, Kilbenny, Kilbline,  Kilfane, Kilfane House, Killarney, Killarney Cross, Kilkenny, Kilmacow, Knockanore, Leap, Maidenhall, Newhouse, Newtown, Rathduff, Sandfield, Stroan, Stoneen, Sugarstown,  Sugartown House, Summershill, Sutton Park, Thomastown, Tullaherin, Woollengrange

Memorial stone inset into the wall recording the unrecorded graves of babies and others in unmarked graves

List of Occupations as recorded on the memorials
Artist,  Doctor, Nun, Old IRA, Priest.
List of masons who signed the memorials
M. Doyle of Carlow, Gargan of Kilkenny, Gargan McDonald of  Kilkenny,  McDonald of Maddoxtown, Mullen of Kilkenny, J Nolan of Ballan, J O'Keeffe of Ballysloe Gorthnahoe, Walsh of Carlow.


The ogham stone at Tullaherin Monastic site.

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.

Newtown Jerpoint, Parish of Thomastown, county Kilkenny

View of the ruined church and the walled graveyard at Newtown Jerpoint

Newtown Jerpoint graveyard is wonderfully situated close to the banks of the river Nore and the Little Arrigle river.  The ruined parish church which dates to circa 1170 is dedicated to St Nicholas.  A now ruined and abandoned town, probably established by William Marshall, the Earl of Pembroke, in 1200, was called Newtown to distinguish it from a another town that stood nearby and which is now called Oldtown.  Newtown Jerpoint is about a quarter of a mile from the famous Jerpoint Abbey which is now under the care of the Office of Public Works.  Newtown Jerpoint itself is on private land but the current owners have done much to open up the site to the general public, especially the remains of the ruined town (see http://jerpointpark.com).  The graveyard contains both Catholic and Church of Ireland burials and we recorded 49 memorials or headstones.  The Hunt enclosure has 14 memorials relating to this family with an other one just outside the enclosure. The Hunt family once owned this land and the nearby property called Belmore House.

View of the Hunt enclosure

One of the most famous tombs is a carving of an ecclesiastical arrayed in full priestly vestments which also seems to date from about the year 1200.  His hands are flat and not crossed on the breast, his head is bare and his feet which appear to be peeping out of his gown are in slippers or shoes. On the right side of the his head is another effigy carved in low relief of a human head resting on a triangular shaped mitre; another corresponding head is on the left side but minus the mitre.  This is locally referred to as the tomb of St Nicholas of Myra, also known as Santa Claus. St Nicholas is actually buried in Bari in Italy but without doubt there has been a devotion to St Nicholas at Newtown Jerpoint for centuries.  Many families in the area carry the name Nicholas which would be otherwise fairly rare in rural Ireland. It is possible that a relic of St Nicholas, the patron saint of generosity and philanthropy,  was brought back to Newtown Jerpoint in mediaeval times which would account for the continued devotion to this saint at Newtown Jerpoint.


The broken memorial said to be of  St Nicholas

Having obtained permission from the landowners, Joe and Maeve O'Connell, Bernie and I set about mapping and surveying the graveyard which at that time was fairly uneven underfoot; the grass was kept down by the efficient munching of sheep.  Many of the headstones date from the early to mid 19th century, with some mediaeval stones.  However it happened, we noticed a corner of what we took to be another 19th century fallen headstone protruding from the ground; on partially uncovering this what we discovered instead was an incised stone seeming to date from mediaeval times.  We immediately informed Joe who then notified the Heritage Council of the discovery; we realised this was a stone not listed in any of our books on mediaeval carving in Kilkenny.

 It turned out to be a completely unknown memorial incised with the figure of a monk, his feet resting on a dog. Part of the inscription, in early latin script read "Here lies Thomas Po(er?).  Pray for his soul ".  He was obviously an important personage, probably a parish priest,  as his stone lies immediately to the right of the tomb described as that of St Nicholas.    It was an amazing find.   a complete archaeological dig was later done surrounding the tomb by people from Cork University but the final results have not yet been published.

A line drawing by Bernie of the previously unknown mediaeval ledger slab



Apart from these two mediaeval memorials we located two memorials dating from the 17th century.

This is a rubbing of a broken but highly decorated and carved 17th century slab.  It reads "Hic jacet corp Oliveri Waton dns de Growe fillius....et Ellenora Purcell uxor ei q obit...." This translates as " Here lies the body of Oliver Waton, lord of Grove, son of......and Ellinor Purcell his wife who died (no date)".  This stone was recorded as being at Walton's Grove in 1903 where it was in Mr Gorey's garden at Jerpoint House.  It is not known when it was removed to Newtown Jerpoint Graveyard.  Oliver Waton of Watonsgrow, Gent died in 1620 and left a son and heir Edward Waton then 36 years old. Ellinor Waton alias Purcell died 1st April 1625.

There were a number of headstones dating from the 18th century with the dates 1763, 1771, 1774, 1771, 1779, 1781, 1788 and 1792,  There were 19 headstones with dates prior to 1850. One stone was leaning at such an acute angle that even with flash photography and mirrors to try to capture the inscription, regretfully we were unable to read it.

All the spellings are copied exactly as inscribed on the headstones; for example Baunskeha and Baunchechy are actually the same place but spelt differently by different masons when carving the stones.
The following upright  headstone to John Deleany who died in 1774 is within the ruined church. Being within the ruined church was a highly desirable place to be buried.

Note the beautiful deep clear carving, now exposed to the elements for 243 years.  And the space saving devices such as the letter "e" above the "y" for ye; and "Dep" with "ed" cut above the letter "p". All very carefully executed by the unnamed mason.  Note also the lovely bold IHS with cross and heart that decorates the top of this stone with hourglasses on each side. The letter "S" is particularly finely carved.   This is quite a high class piece of rural sculpture.

Alphabetical List of Names and plot number
Barry 19, 38
Boyd 10
Brennan 48
Brennen 41
Burk 23
Butler 20
Byrne 48
Cahill 37
Caulfield 5
Corcoran 41
Daniel 43
Deleany 46
Demspey 25
Den/Dene 47
Dooley 32
Dubordieu 5
Eagen 34
Fitzgerald 4,25
Follis 20
Greene 11
Hanrahan 27, 28
Helsham 7
Holohan see Whologhan
Hoyne 49
Hunt 1 - 15 inclusive
Ivory 31
Kavanagh 22, 49
Ke... 31
Kea...30
Kealy 19
Kerwin 41
Keva...30
Kneefe 18
MacDonald 25
Mackey 20
Murphy 34
Nicholas, Saint (supposed) 39
Po (er?) 40
Poor 34
Power 36
Purcell 21
Reade 22
Ryan 18, 26
Shortall 25
Stopford 3
Teasdale 16, 17
Wade 26
Walsh 23, 24, 27 ,28, 41
Waton/Walton 21
Whologhan 37


Alphabetical list of places mentioned on memorials and plot number
America 19, 48
Ballyhale 41
Baunchehy 23
Bawnskeha 27, 28
Belmore 2 ,3 ,11, 12, 13, 14,  16, 17,
Gavet 48
Gerpoint 47
Greenville 11
Growe 21
Jerpoint 3, 5, 8, 11, 12, 13 ,37
Jerpoint House 6
Johnswell 22
Jurpt (Jerpoint) 34
Kilfera 3
Kilkenny 6
Kilkenny city 9
Kilminogue 49
Monarue 38
Newtown Jerpoint 21, 47
New York 26
Oldtown 19, 25, 48
Pittsburgh 19
Raheen 43
Toronto 14
Walton's Grove 21
Waterford 11


List of occupations recorded on the memorials
Captain 6 (63rd Regiment)
Gentleman 47
High Sheriff 7
Lieutenant Colonel 7
Magistrate 6
Private 32 (5th Battalion Royal Irish Regiment)
Reverend 11, 12


List of Masons
O'Shea of Callan and Kilkenny (Memorial No 26)


Interested observers