GIRLEY GRAVEYARD MONUMENTAL INSCRIPTIONS

Recorded by Noel E. French June 1987

St. Raed is the traditional patron of this parish although the dedication of the present Catholic Church is to St. Columcille and the dedication of the demolished Protestant church was to St. Margaret.

St. Margaret’s Church was situated along the road from Fordtown to Drewstown to the west of the old ruined church.  The church seems to have been erected in recent centuries and was demolished within the past forty years.  Some of the stones of the building were used in the New Roman Catholic Church in Kells.

There are only a few gravestones in the grounds of the demolished church and most of these date from the late19th century or early 20th century.  The Protestant community here appears to have been very small.

There are only two stones on the western side of the graveyard.  All the rest are near the east wall.

MONUMENTAL INSCRIPTIONS

BOOKER – To the memory of Hariette Booker only daughter of George Booker Esq. of Bensfort House who departed this life August 22 1870.  She lived in faith and fell asleep in Jesus having nothing to fear and everything to hope.  George Booker died Nov 28th 1874 aged 71 years.  He sleeps in Jesus.  Also Margaret wife of the above departed this life Sept 4 1877 aged 52 years.  Henry S. Booker, Bentford died Jan 9th 1915.

BOOKER – In loving memory of Mary Manesty born (?)Oct 30th 1879 died May 26th 1879.  Also of Mabel Marion born June 24th 1881 died March 11 1882.  The dear children of Henry and Margaret Booker.

            Ere sin could blot or sorrow fade,

            Death came with friendly care.

            The opening bud to heaven conveyed

            and bade it blossom there.

BOOKER – Sacred to the memory of Jane Booker the beloved wife of Thomas Booker, Cloneason who departed this life October the 1st 1884 aged 62 years.  Also Thomas Booker who died 3rd March 1889 aged 77 years.  William A. Booker MB.B.Ch., TCD son of the above who died at Steynsburg, Cape Colony 15th August 1885 aged 31 years and his wife Jeanie H. Booker who died 27th April 1883 aged 21 years.  Grace Anna (nee Furney) beloved wife of T. Edward Booker who died May 8th 1908 aged 48 years.  In dear memory of Thomas Edward Booker died March 27th 1925.  Also of Ida Phoebe Booker died June 28th 1935.

(Foot stone) Also Kathleen Jane Booker died December 28th 1943.  Eva Gertrude Booker died 28th October 1974.

FLOOD – In loving memory of Emily Gertrude Flood of Kilkeelan, daughter of Ferdinard Mc Veigh, Drewstown  who fell asleep 16 March 1928.  In the morn angels faces smile which we have loved long since but lost a while.  Erected by sister and children.

FURNEY – See Booker Jane

MC  VEAGH – The blood of Jesus Christ cleanse us from all sin.

Beneath rest the mortal remains of Ferdinard Meath Mc Veagh for more than fifty years a resident in this parish died 18th March 1866 aged 76 years.  Faithful is he that calleth you.   God sent not his son to condemn the world but that the world through him might be saved.  This tomb was erected in loving and grateful memory by his sorrowing daughter Flora and her son Ferdinard Sadleir…. (Reverse) Sacred to the memory of Ferdinard Mc Veagh of Drewstown.  Born 13th June 1813 died 8th Dec 1888 and of his wife Maria who died 17th February 1890.

MC  VEAGH – See Flood Emily

MAGEE – In loving memory of Matilda J. Magee the dearly beloved wife of Head Constable J.T. Magee R.I.C. Athboy who died 8th July 1889 aged 44 years.  Also their daughter Charlotte E. who died 25th November 1898 aged 21 years.  Also the above J.T.  Magee of Porchfields, Trim, Co. Meath who died 2nd January 1922 aged 81 years.  Also his son Henry William Magee who died 1st February 1937 aged 61 years.  Safe in the arms of Jesus.  Cast thy burden upon the Lord and he shall sustain thee.   (Stone mason Burnell)

SADLER – See Mc  Veagh Ferdinard.

TANDY – Sacred to the memory of the late Edward Tandy Esq of The Grove, Belrath, Navan, who died 5th January 1892 in his 89th year.  And of Sarah Medora his wife died 11th May 1908 in her 88th year.

TANDY – In loving memory of Thomas Tandy of Johnsbrook,  Co. Meath Esq who died August 24th 1879.  Also in memory of his sister Elizabeth Tandy who died at Johnsbrook 11th May 1875.  Also Clarrissa Anne Tandy who died the 11th January 1891.

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