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

Cullawn Church Graveyard, Kilcullen, parish of Thomastown, county Kilkenny

Cullawn Church graveyard lies in the townland of Kilcullen and on a back road from Inistioge to Thomastown.   The site is not apparent from the road and can be difficult to locate; parking on the road is not easy.  Access is via a gate marked with a cross and through a field where the graveyard is to be found on the left in a walled and gated area. The Kilkenny Graveyard Mapping Project records this graveyard ID as 314 if you need to locate it on their interactive map. There may be cattle in the field. Carrigan in his History and Antiquities of the Diocese of Ossory records the church ruins as very ancient and dating from before the Anglo Norman invasion; most of the church walls are now nearly down to the ground with the exception of the east gable. Stones are scattered all over the site and it is very uneven underfoot; there appear to be many markers but it is impossible to tell which stones might have been specially placed to record a burial.  It may have been used as a Killeen.  All the burials appear to be Catholic and as there are only 5 headstones, 4 with inscriptions, we have transcribed and copied inscriptions here in full.  Carrigan says that Kilcullen belonged to the Dobbyn family until the Cromwellian confiscations.  We accessed and recorded this graveyard in June 2015.




1. Kerbed plot.  In loving memory of the Dobbyn Family Chapel Hill. Richard Dobbyn, Woodstock died 5^th April 1957.  His wife Mary died 12^th June 1988. Their daughter Margaret Kavanagh late of Leicester died 5^th March 1993 aged 63. Rest in Peace Amen. O’Donnell. Waterford.




2. Broken Celtic Cross.  On base: On whose souls Sacred Heart of Jesus Have Mercy.  2 broken parts of the Celtic Cross are leaning again the wall of the church: the long shaft of the cross is finely decorated and marked Thy Kingdom Come; the circular part of the cross has a Sacred Heart with cross insert.  The part of the stone with the names of those buried is missing.




3. Finely carved upright tombstone.  Gloria scroll, sunburst and wreath/garland around top of stone and sunburst, IHS and 2 ciboria in lancet type windows.  Erected by Richd Hearn in memory of his sister in law Mary Heartley who depd this life March 22^nd 1817 aged 30 years. Also her sister Catherine Heartley who depd this life March 23^rd 1819




4. In loving memory of Daniel White, Kilkieran died 11^th March 1976. Erected by Danny McDonald. WHITE.




5.Celtic Cross on pediment base with A, X with a long tailed P through it, O on top of cross, a decorated ribbon down shaft of cross with In Hoc Signo Vinces on ribbon.  On front: a small Maltese cross – Erected by his children to the memory of our dear beloved father Morgan Kavanagh, Rossroe who died June 17^th 1925 aged 78 years. Also his wife Bridget Kavanagh and his son John Kavanagh who died young. And his daughter Mary (Ciss) Kavanagh died August 23^rd 1949. Sacred Heart of Jesus have mercy on their souls. Gargan. Kilkenny.  On left hand side: His son Bryan died June 13^th 1953 aged 74 years. RIP. His wife Mary died Aug 20 1949. Statia White Kilkieran died July 4 1972.   On right side : His son Michael Kavanagh died 7^th Dec 1959.


Index of Names on the stones
Dobbyn 1,
Hearn 3
Heartley 3
Kavanagh 1,5
McDonald 4
White 4,5


Index of Places recorded on the stones
Chapel Hill 1
Kilkieran 4,5
Leicester 1
Rossroe 5
Woodstock 1


Index of Masons who signed the stones they carved
Gargan, Kilkenny 5
O'Donnell, Waterford 1

Kilkenny Board of Health Registers of Internments

Tucked away in the Kilkenny Archives at John Street, Kilkenny city are some very valuable resources for the Kilkenny family historian.  Amongst the most interesting for this blog are a series of civil burial registers which mainly commence in the early 1940s; some end in the 1970s but others go right through to 2005/2006.   These are NOT part of the church records but are civil internment records kept by Kilkenny County Council.  If you are seeking a burial within the relevant dates and in a graveyards which is listed below, it would be advisable to consult these registers, especially if you are not finding the name you seek on a headstone or memorial. We have found that people listed in these Registers of Interment are not always to be found recorded on a headstone in the relevant graveyard, which is why these registers are so important.  These registers are not available anywhere online, probably because much of the information is fairly recent and could be regarded as sensitive.  The information recorded in these registers is as follows:- Christian and surname of the deceased, sex, age, religion, occupation, whether married, single, widow or widower or a child, the last place of residence, date of death, date of interment and signature of the caretaker and registrar.  The information has been entered in ink and by hand on pre-printed register pages. 
The last place of residence is usually the townland of the family home but may include such locations as  Dublin, London, England, or New Jersey USA indicating that whilst people may have died overseas they were often shipped home to Ireland for burial in the family plot.


Accompanying these Registers of Interment is a one page Kilkenny County Council document entitled "Duties of Registrars of Burial Grounds; approved on 6th March 1947".  These duties are based on the Rules and Regulations for the Regulation of Burial Grounds dated 6th July 1888, 23rd December 1919 and 12th March 1929.   Most of these rules and regulations concern being present at burials, ensuring correct procedures are followed and to demand and receive fees where these are chargeable and of course keeping the Register of Interments.   All of that is to be expected but what is very interesting is we learn that the Registrar is also expected "to keep in his custody a map of the burial ground showing the divisions of the burial ground into grave spaces" and "to keep records showing ownership of each grave and available accommodation therein".   Sadly these last records, which would be so very valuable to us all, do not seem to have survived; in any event they are not in the Kilkenny Archives in John Street.  We are still looking for where these maps and ownership lists might be.


 

Kilkenny Board of Health and Public Assistance: List of Registers of Interments:-

1. Aghavillar 1944-2005
2. Ballygurrin 1941-1995
3. Baunfada 1946-1972
4. Brownsbarn 1942-1975
5. Clonamery 1946-1978
6. Clonmatagh Lower 1941-1990
7. Coolagh 1941-1984
8. Danesfort 1942-1961
9. Danganmore 1954-1995
10. Derrynahinch 1941-2006
11. Donoghmore 1941-2002
12. Donoghmore Upper 1942-1979
13. Dungarvan 1954-1977
14. Grange 1944-2005
15. Grange Upper  1948-1961 ( but no burials recorded in register)
16. Kells 1949-1985
17. Kilbeacon 1946-1972
18. Kilkieran 1941-2003
19. Killaloe 1941-2005
20. Kilmocar 194?-2006
21. Kilmakevoge 1945-1981
22. Kilree 1941-1992
23. Kyle 1945-1959
24. Kyleballykeefe 1945-1970
25. Newtown 1941-1972
26. Powerstown 1942-1979
27. Rathcusack or Rathcorrig 1941-1999
28. Rosconnell 1941-1983
29. Shanbogh 1941/2-2002
30. Shraleagh 1942-1958
31. Smithstown 1941-1971
32. Stonecarthy 1948-1975
33. Threecastles 1945?-1963
34. Troyswood 1941-2005
35. Urlingford 1941-1988

A view of Stonecarthy graveyard with one of our helpers

Gowran graveyard, St Mary's Collegiate Church, Co Kilkenny. Part 2.

Amongst the very interesting memorials is an altar tomb dating from 1620 which has on the table top a carving of a skeleton divesting itself of its shroud as it rises from the dead, presumably on the day of resurrection; sadly; although dramatic this does not photograph very well   This is a tomb dedicated to the memory of Jacobus Kealy  and his wife Ellena Naish but her date of death has never been filled in.   One of the supporting stones at the end of the tomb has St Peter holding his key to the Kingdom of Heaven.

But look again: St Peter is smoking a dodeen.....presumably carefully carved sometime after the original carving was completed.....and when tobacco smoking with a dodeen (or pipe) was fashionable.......

Close up of St Peter circa 1620........smoking!

Quite close by is a renaissance monument decorated with two shields, one with two lions rampant supporting a castle for Kealy impaling three doves with olive branches in their beaks for Nash. The other shield has the same arms for Kealy but this time impaling a chevron between three roses for White. This is a highly sophisticated memorial and finely carved but the final dates have never been completed.  This reads " Here Lieth the bodies of Mr James Keally sometime of the town of Gawran gentleman who died ano dni 16(--) and of Mrs Ellen Nashe, his first wife who died the 30 day of the moneth of Jvly ano dni 1640 and Mrs Mary White his second wife who died the (--) day of the moneth of (----_ ano dni 16(--).  He erected this monument for himselfe, his wifves and children in the moneth of December ano dni 1646".  The follows a now almost totally  illegible verse "Both wifves at once alive he could not have. Both to inioy (enjoy) at once he made this grave"




Index of masons

John Bergin 44

Alex Ballantine, Dublin 222

Aileen Anne Brannigan 194

Brennan, Royal Oak 125,150

Coates, Dublin 226

Colles, Kilkenny 192

R.Colles 170

John Cullen, Royal Oak 129

Keeffe, Kilkenny 14346.

McDonald, Maddoxtown 76

Mullen, Kilkenny 199
Murphy, Wells 85

Nolan, Ballon 197

O'Shea, Callan 195

O'Shea, Kilkenny 47,65,80

O'Tunney (attributed to) 238

Smyth, Edward (attributed to) 225

Very elaborate memorial to James Agar who died in 1733 aged 63 erected by his second wife Mary Wemyss of Danesfort. Compare this to the memorial slab below which commemorates his first wife Susannah Alexander.



There is quite a lot to say about this memorial slab.  It is very plain indeed and note the spelling of here as heare.   The mason has cut fine deep lettering but some letters are the wrong way around such as the S in ESQr and the N in AND, although he does get the N correct in GENT; the two Ns in Susanna's name have been joined together,  The third line from the bottom DECEASED has been abbreviated as DED and the mason has then run out of space as the word THE has been carved with the T and the E carved as part of the initial H.  In all this seems a very inexperienced hand that has carved this memorial.  Also Susanna is memorialised, not in her own right but as the wife of one man and the daughter of another.  Susanna's memorial may be very plain as she produced no living children which would have been her main role in life.    The wording on the elaborate memorial to her husband is perfectly carved and reads:-

James Agar Esqr, son to Charles Agar of the City of York by Ellis his wife of the Ancient Family of Blanchville died the XXXth day of December MDCCXXXIII in the LXIIId year of his age.  By his first wife Susanna, daughter to James Alexander Esqr, he had three sons who died young.  He afterwards married Mary, daughter to Sir James Wemyss of Danesfort by who he had 7 children, 3 of which are here interred.  He acquired a plentiful fortune with a fair reputation. His disposition beneficient and humane gained him the desirable character of a tender husband, an indulgent parent, an affectionate relation, a kind master and a good neighbour.  His private charities were not few and the new building for the seat of his family together with the poor house of Gowran are instances of his public liberality, the former he began and completed, the later by him founded and endowed is since finished by the MOURNFUL RELICT who out of sincere respect to the WORTHY DECEASED has caused THIS to be ERECTED AS A MONUMENT TO HIS MERIT AND HER AFFECTION.



 

Index of stained glass window artists
Healey, Michael (of An Tur Gloine) 212
McGoldrick, Hubert V, (of An Tur Gloine) 223

Lieut Aubrey Cecil White died 1916.

An Tur Gloine, meaning The Glass Tower, was established in Dublin in 1903.  It was an important part of the Irish Arts and Crafts movement in the first half of the 20th century involved as it was with the concept of Celtic revival and the cultural search for a specific Irish identity. Michael Healy  was one of the first recruits; Hubert McGoldrick joined in 1920.  These are high class stained glass windows.  The above window is by Michael Healy and the inscription reads "York and Lancaster Regt. Be thou faithful unto death and I will give a crown of life. To the glory of God and in memory of Aubrey Cecil White, Lieut. York and Lancaster Regt who fell in action July 1st 1916 aged 20 while leading his men in the Battle of the Somme". 

Index of Occupations recorded on the stones

Attorney/Attorney at law 135,170

Constable 208
Forester 185
High Sheriff 226
Land Steward 179
Medical Attendant 222
Member of Parliament 203
Merchant 138
Military 166,167,212,215,216,221,226,227
National Teacher 199
Post Office Officer 162,167
Prebendary 214
Priest 26,35,38,39,40 71
Recorder 202
Rector/vicar 20,141,172,195,196,214,215,221
Revenue Officer 135,170
Sergeant 128,173,192
Treasurer 214


Recording the attainments and achievements of the deceased upon the headstone became important, particularly to the settler families, seeking to reinforce their position in society.  One such example is the family of Cuthbert who have a group of 6 headstones in this graveyard (Nos 166-171 inclusive) and from which it is possible to draw out quite an detailed family tree. Patrick Cuthbert is memorialised on his headstone "Sacred to the memory of Mr Patrick Cuthbert for many years Post Master of Gowran, he fulfilled the duty of his profession and employment during a lifetime of Honour, Honesty and Integrity. He died in the Honourable cause of  his King and Constitution in the 48th year of his age June 25th 1798. Reader Remark a Fond Father, a sincere friend possessed of a benevolent Heart to the distressed".   There are masonic symbols on the headstone.   This stone tells us quite a lot about Patrick;  his occupation, his allegiances, his character (or at least how the grieving widow wished it to be commemorated).   The date 1798 is absolutely critical and gives a clue as to why he died - Gowran is right on the border with Carlow, the place of terrible brutal fighting during the 1798 rebellion  There is a Kilkenny Marriage Licence dated 13th May 1780 for Patrick and a Margaret Agar.  According to these headstones there were three children of this marriage. A son Lieutenant Kingston Cuthbert (1787-1842), Emily who died aged 14 years in 1812, and James Cuthbert, recorded as an Inland Revenue Officer. James was married to Mary, daughter of Maurice Moran, Attorney of Castleville, Gowran.  Mary was born in 1800 and died 7th December 1883. Most of these Cuthbert stones have biblical quotations which would indicate this family belonged to the Protestant persuasion.  One of these headstones is signed by the mason Colles of Kilkenny.  In all a tremendous amount of useful genealogical information about the Cuthbert family.
A broken stone, now lying flat, within the unroofed section of the ruin commemorates a young man with a very strange sounding name. "Here lies the body of Mr Robert Bijar who departed this life ye 5th June 1756 aged 25".   This seems such an unusual name in Ireland but may be found in Dublin.  A Robert Bijar (obviously not our man here buried but possibly his father) subscribed to the book, The Natural History of Carolina by John Bricknell MD, published in 1737 in Dublin.  In fact Robert and Mary Bijar ran an East India Goods Warehouse in Abbey Street, Dublin.  In 1747 Mary Bijar advertised Chinese wallpapers as well as Indian silks, painted Indian calicoes, Indian dressing boxes, tea chests, Indian fans and Turkish coffees (Wallpaper in Ireland 1700-1900 by David Skinner. 2014 ).   All this seems very exotic indeed but portrays a very different side of Ireland in the 18th century.  According to Deeds found in The Registry of Deeds in Dublin, this Bijar family was in Dublin as early as 1712.
There is much early Catholic family history to be gleaned from the headstones in the exterior graveyard.   The family of Brenan/Brennan from Clara can be traced from several stones starting with a David Brennan who died in 1751 aged 72 years (born 1679) who married Mary Doran born in 1691 and who died 1755.   The father and mother  of Mary Doran who married David Brennan can be found on an adjacent stone - Mathew Doran ( born1657) who died 1745 aged 88 years and his wife Mary Comerford (born 1667) who died in 1729 aged 62 years. 
There are many Holohan stones here.  No 57 has a charming and unusual poem; the stone reads "Erected by Ann Holohan in memory of her nees (sic) alias Mary Griffin who departed this life April 20th 1811 aged 26 yrs. Dear Angles which (watch?) this sleeping dust, until Christ do come to rise the just, then may she awake in sweet surprize and in our Saviour's image rise".
Stone No 36 gives us a great deal of genealogical information "Here lieth ye body of ye R.F (Reverend Father?) Edmond Crow who having passed 36 years in a foreign country came to his native soil to join his remains with those of his grand-father and grand-mother Edmond Crow and Catherine Kavenagh, his father and mother Daniel Crow and Catherine Norris, his brothers Mich., and Pat Crow. He deceased Xber ye 28 1757 aged 68 yrs. Requiescat in Pace Amen. Think oft of death, love God. observe his law, conserve your soul and shun the serpent's claw. Pater + Ave."  The Edmond Crow commemorated on this stone was born in 1689 and presumably had gone abroad to study for the priesthood..  Both his parents and grandparents are mentioned taking the family back to about the 1630s.  This is very early information to have and this is the first time we have found the unusual verse here in Kilkenny.  There is a stylised serpent that runs around the interior of the exterior ruin........

Headstone No 138 is a damaged stone and  like many of the other stones very hard to read but the inscription is as follows:- "God be merciful to ye soul of Mr John Kinchela of the city of Kilkenny, Mercht decsd Novrb ye 5th 1761 aged 45 yrs.  Erected by Mr John Kinchela his son".   There follows a short verse "Remember man I am what thou shall be and as you are so .... I once like thee".  What makes this stone distinctive is a carved skeleton, in a coffin,  with very well defined details such as hip bones and rib cage, lying length ways along the bottom of the stone almost now hidden from view.  Momento is carved on the right of the coffin and Mori carved on the left (meaning remember death).

The blade of grass is just below his rib cage, his skull is clearly visible on the lower right side of the photo and his hips and legs extend out to the left side of the photo at the bottom; the skeleton is encased in a coffin but the mason had not signed his work.

Finally a reused and broken stone carved with loving care. Stone No 186 to the Whelan family "Sacred to the memor(y) of ....Elen Whelan of (Gowran?) who died Jan (...) the 5 1889 aged (...) Brid, Tom and Dan who died (.....)ry 1889, also their moth(er) Margaret Whelan died 1915 aged 47 yrs. RIP"

ADIEU