Gernonstown, Slane

GERNONSTOWN CHURCHYARD SLANE CO. MEATH

MONUMENTAL INSCRIPTIONS

Recorded by Noel E. French August 1987

Gernonstown Churchyard is situated about a mile and a half from Slane on the Rathkenny road.  Entry is made off the avenue to Gernonstown House.

In 1640 “a castle, a stone house, a churchyard, a pigeon house and some cabbins” were recorded in Gernonstown townland.  This church was probably the manorial church of Gernonstown House.

In Bishop Dopping’s visitation of 1682 – 1685 Gernonstown “church and chancel ruined” are recorded.

The ruined church is fairly large by comparison to the other churches of the Middle  Ages.  The ruins measure 80ft by 33ft.  On the north side of the church is a vaulted chamber which could have been the sacristy.  In the ruins of the church is a rough stone font with a hole through the base.  The altar slabs were recently uncovered inside the church.

There is only one grave stone on the north side of the church which belongs to the Moonan family who lived at Gernonstown House.

West of the church is a slab reputedly a priest’s grave.  The inscription is in Latin but much of it is very hard to distinguish.  Some of the words on it – “IHS…… in Slanies(Slane?)….. obit November 1766…”

Gernonstown churchyard has been recently cleaned up by the voluntary efforts of three men.  They have removed the fallen walls of church and filled and levelled the graveyard.  They have removed the marker stones and laid down grass.  It is a credit to them.

MONUMENTAL INSCIPTIONS

BRADY – IHS In loving memory of Thomas Brady, Rushwee who died 19^th June 1905.  Also his wife Mary who died 29^th Oct 1922 aged 82.  And their son John who died June 29^th 1944.  His wife Mary died 5^th March 1963.

BRIEN – In loving memory of Julia Brien, Gernonstown who died May 2^nd 1941.  Also Michael Reilly died Jan 12 1965, and his wife Mary ex N.T. died April 23 1975 aged 91 years.

BRIEN – Erected by Thomas Brien in loving memory of his father and mother R.I.P. (Modern)

BYRNE – Erected by John Byrne in memory of his father Garret Byrne who departed this life Dec’r the 22^nd 1753 aged 36 years. Also his son Garret Byrne who departed this life August the 22^nd 1807 aged 25 years.

CAROLAN – see Kellett

CREGAN– Erected by John Cregan in loving memory of the Cregan family, Fieldstown and Gernonstown, Slane. (Modern).

CRINION – IHS Erected by Lizzie Josephine Crinion in loving memory of her husband John Crinion who died at Stackallen the 9^th March 1895 on whose soul may the Lord Jesus have mercy.  (Stone mason – Pigot Navan. This is a slab on the outside of the south wall of the church).

CRINION – Erected by Michael Crinion of Rushwee to the memory of his dearly loved child Maria Angela who died in June 1869 aged 16 years.

CRINION – IHS Erected by Michael Crinion of Rushwee in memory of his daughter Maria Angela who died 1^st June 1869 aged 16 years.  Above named Michael Crinion died 11^th Feb 1897 aged 76 years and his wife Mary died 22^nd January 1920 aged 92 years.  Also their sons Michael Patrick Crinion B.A. 14^th October 1917.  And Thomas Francis who died 17 Dec 1934 aged 78 years.  Ellen F. wife of T.F. Crinion who died 23 March 1954 aged 80 years R.I.P.  (Sited in church ruins).

CRINNAN – Roestown.  This stone was erected by Mary Crinnan, alias Fleming, in memory of her husband, Michael Crinnan, born 1771 and died December ye 3^rd 1801 aged 30 years.  Also her son Patt Crinnan died aged 4 years.

CRINNION – IHS Erected by Michael Crinnion of Rushwee in memory of his beloved father Michael Crinnion who died May 1846 and of his mother Anne Crinnion who died May 1847.  Also of his brother Thomas and sisters Catherine and Mary who died young and of his infant daughter Angela who died March 1864.

CRINNION – IHS Erected by Thomas Crinnion in memory of his father Richard Crinnion who died on the 20^th of Jan’y 1872 aged 72 years.  And also his mother Elizabeth Crinnion.  Also the above Thomas Crinnion who died November 28^th 1876 and his wife Jane who died February 12^th 1919.  Maria Crinion, Roestown died 22^nd June 1953.  Her husband Richard died 26^th Aug 1956. Their daughter Mary died 12^th April 1967. Their son Thomas died 3^rd Jan 1968.  Their grand-daughter Elizabeth. R.I.P.

CURRIN – Here lyeth ye body of Thos. Currin dece’d May ye 26 1770 aged 70 years. Also his wife Catherine Currin alias Keonan dece’d March ye 26 1763 aged 60 years.

CURRY – IHS Erected A.D. 1869 by Nicholas Curry, Slane in memory of his mother Catherine Curry who died 18 June 1851 aged 64 years.  Also his father Matthew Curry who died 25^th Sept. 1852 aged 72 years.  And also his beloved wife Catherine Curry who died 28 Nov 1866 aged 30 years.

DOGGETT – In loving memory of Mary Doggett, Rushwee died 6^th April 1937 and her husband Patrick died 23^rd Dec. 1970.  Also their daughter Rita who died young. R.I.P.  Erected by Richard  and Phylis King.

DOGGETT – In loving memory of Robert Doggett, Barristown who died 24 July 1954 aged 60 years.

DOHERTY – Erected by Mary Doherty in memory of her husband Thomas Doherty died 20^th July 1935 aged 54 years.  The above Mary Doherty who died 28^th Sept 1961 aged 69 years.  Their son Michael who died 19^th Dec 1961 aged 45 years.  Their son Thomas who died 10^th Jan 1976 aged 63 years.  R.I.P.  (Sited in church ruin)

DUFF – Erected by Matthew Duff, Roachestown in memory of his father John who died 8 Feb 1870 and his beloved mother Margaret who died 12 Oct 1901 (sited in church ruin).

FLOOD – In memory of Richard and Elizabeth Flood died 18 Nov 1947 died 25 April 1952.

GINNITTY – In loving memory of Thomas Ginnitty died 28 Oct 1918 aged 23. Patrick Ginnitty died 13 March 1919 aged 31.  Matthew Ginnitty died 23 July 1923 aged 32.  Mary Ginnitty died 21 Jan 1924 aged 66.

GREAY – This stone was erected by James Greay in memory of his father Philip Greay who died May ye 13^th 1764 aged 55 years.  Also his wife Elezabeth who died March ye 17 1771 aged 51 years.

KELLETT – IHS Erected by Catherine Kellett in memory of her husband Peter Kellett who died in June 1863 aged 60 years.  Also her son John who died on the 14^th of Octr 1865 aged 30 years.  Also her daughter Catherine Kellett who died on the 11^th of February 1867 aged 25 years.  Also James and Catherine Carolan Ardcalf Slane and their son Andrew.

KEONAN – See Currin Thomas.

KING – See Doggett Mary.

LENNEY – Erected by Mary Lenney, Roachestown in memory of her mother Elizabeth who died 29^th April 1921 and her sister (in religion) Sister Angela. R.I.P. (Sited in church ruin).

LYNCH – In loving memory of William Lynch, Gernonstown died 11 July 1955 Margaret Lynch died 1^st Feb 1978 aged 92.  (Sited east of ruin).

MC CONNIN – IHS Erected by Matthew McConnin of  Donore in memory of his father Denis McConnin died 26^th of Feb 1795 aged 76 years.  Also his mother Mary McConnin.  She died 25^th Oct 1797 aged 66 years.  R.I.P.

MONOGHAN – IHS This stone was erected AD 1816 BY Thomas Monoghan of Rosestown in memory of his father and mother James and Catherine Monoghan who are here interred.

MOONAN – Sacred to the memory of Judith Josephine Moonan  who died on the 19th day of June 1887 and of Walter Moonan father of the above who died 19^th June 1900 aged 75 years, and his wife Marcella who died 7 Dec 1928 aged 83 years.  (Sited north of church ruin).

MURPHY – See Tiernan Rose.

O’LEARY – Pray for the soul of Bridget O’ Leary, Gernonstown who died 27 April 1935.

REILLY – See Brien Julia.

SHEILS – Erected by Christopher Sheils in memory of his mother Bridget Sheils who died on the 6^th day of Jan 1921 aged 69 years.  R.I.P.

TIERNAN – In loving memory of Rose Tiernan, Fennor who died 4^th July 1884.   Her husband John who died 1 June 1886 and their sons John who died 24 September 1901 and Peter who died 18^th Sept 1903.   Also their daughters Mary Murphy who died 28 Oct, 1879 and Rose Tiernan who died 8 Sept 1907.  R.I.P.  (Stone mason- Pand H. Moss, James St, Drogheda).

WALL – IHS Erected by Francis Wall in memory of his beloved father Nicholas Wall who died 11^th March 1880 aged 82 years.  Also his beloved mother Margaret Wall who died 8^th April 1883 aged 74 years.  And also his son Thomas Francis Wall who died Sept, 22^nd 1885 aged 19 years.  The above Francis Wall who died Jan15^th 1889.  His brother James who died Feb 27^th 1913 aged 83 years.  His brother Thomas who died Sept 11^th 1915 aged 75 years.  Also Thomas’s wife Rose who died March 2^nd 1902 aged 40 years.  R.I.P.  Nicholas, son of Thomas and Rose died 23^rd March 1964 aged 75 years.  His wife Kathleen died 23^rd June 1970 aged 82 years and their children.  (Mason – J. Gibney Pass, Drogheda- sited in church ruin).

WALSH – In loving memory of Mary Walsh, Rushwee died 4^th May 1944 and her husband John died 20^th Nov 1945.  Erected by their son Thomas R.I.P.