OLD LOUGHCREW GRAVEYARD CO. MEATH
HEADSTONES AND INSCRIPTIONS
Recorded by Dr. Beryl F. E. Moore & Michael Kenny 1976
A long straight avenue edged by old trees leads from the road to the graveyard. Two of these trees fell in January 1976. This avenue is not shown in the album of Naper Estate maps surveyed by the firm of Sherrard and Brownrigg in 1778 as it did not then exist. The big house at that period was sited between the motte and the garden wall, and the avenue ran from the house along the north wall of the graveyard past the gate and straight onto the road at almost the same spot as the short avenue from the burnt mansion reaches the road.
The graveyard measurements are… west side 139 ft, south 177 ft, east 140 ft and north from east corner to gate 95 ft, width of gate 7 ft 5 ins and from gate to west corner 70 ft; so it will be seen that the graveyard is roughly square. The wall is in poor repair and much of it has fallen down. The graveyard is also not well kept and many headstones are deeply sunk in the ground, or completely buried, or lying on their faces, or broken in many pieces.
A tower house forms the west end of the Church, its measurements being, east and west sides 23 ft, north and south sides 27 ft. It is 3 storied and had originally a flat roof with a corballed staircase in the thickness of the wall and higher up a spiral staircase in a turret which led out onto the flat roof. The latter is nearly all gone now. The small Church is build onto the east side of the tower and measures: north and south walls 94 ft 9 ins, and east and west walls 21 ft 6 ins. A blocked-up archway led into a small annexe chapel which projected into the graveyard on the south side.
3 Headstones in the Church.
1) DUDDELL 1676….. Recumbent slab lying on floor of tower house about 6 ft inside the west door of the church. It is placed north-south so unlikely to be in its original position. Unfortunately everyone entering or leaving the building has to walk on it with the result that each year it gets more difficult to read the inscription and several areas have chipped off altogether. It measures …60 ins long by 32 ins wide and 4 ½ ins thick. The inscription is carved along the outer edge beginning at the north side then along east south and west sides. “ HERE LIETH THE BOD / YE OF MRS ELIZABET…
DUDDEL / L WIFE… RIC/ HARD DUDDE…A …OF LOCHCE/ RW WITH HER 4 CH/ ILDREN. SHE DI / ED THE 27 OF NO / VEMBER AN DOM 1676”. The C in Loughcrew and the O in Dom (for Domini) are much smaller than all the other letters and the Parish is spelt Lochcerw. The Rev. Richard Duddell was I think the second Protestant Rector of Loughcrew after the Reformation.
2) PLUNKET VAULT…About the middle of the south wall of the Church is a blocked-up archway which led into a small annexe chapel said to have been built by the Plunket Family who lived nearby and worshipped in this Church until the time of the Reformation when they are said to have left this immediate neighbourhood. The archway into the vault itself was also from the Church but below ground level. This archway they also blocked up before ceasing to worship here. There is no visible tablet claiming this vault for the Plunkett Family or giving any dates or burials.
3) EATON 1882-1900…This headstone is set into the east window since the Church has been disused. It refers evidently to a grave outside. It is a small peaked stone. “IN DUTIFUL REMEMBERANCE OF MY GRANDFATHER AND GRANDMOTHER THOMAS AND MARY EATON DIED 3RD JULY 1882 AGED 89. ERECTED BY THOMAS C. EATON AND HIS WIFE MARGARET DIED OCTOBER 1900”.
5 Mural Tablets on the East Wall of the Graveyard reading from North to South.
4) TIMSON 1899….Plain slab with peaked top and inscription on a small raised inset, a cross above and below. “HENRY TIMSON BORNAND DIED SEPTEMBER 2ND 1899. SUFFER LITTLE CHILDREN TO COME ONTO ME”.
5) O’RORKE 1846-54… 3 large carved and broken stones on top of the wall above this tablet , the upper part of which is blank. Inscription in lower part. “SACRED TO THE MEMORY OF CECILIA THE BELOVED WIFE OF THE REVd THOMAS O’RORKE INCUMBENT OF LOUGHCREW. ON THE 18TH DAY OF DECr 1846 HER PURE SPIRIT RETURNED TO THE GOD WHO GAVE IT. SHE IS NOT DEAD BUT SLEEPTH IN JESUS. REV. THOMAS O’RORKE FELL ASLEEP IN JESUS 23RD JUNE 1854”.
6) DARLING 1856-82… In upper section of tablet “NOT LOST BUT GONE BEFORE. SACRED TO THE MEMORY OF “ then in lower section of tablet “MARIA DARLING WHO DIED 29TH DEC. 1856 AGED 31 YEARS IN PURE AND CERTAIN HOPE OF THE RESURRECTION TO ETERNAL LIFE THROUGH OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST. HER HEAVENLY GAIN HAS BEEN AN IRREPARABLE LOSS TO HER HUSBAND AND CHILDREN TO WHOSE HAPPINESS HER LIFE WAS DEVOTED AFTER HER DUTY TO GOD”. Then we get ‘A LAMP UNTO MY FEET, A LIGHT UNTO MY PATH ‘. Further down “AND HER HUSBAND ARTHUR J. DARLING ESQr DIED 18TH AUGUST 1882 AGED 77”.
7) O’NEILL 1890-1907… “TO BE WITH CHRIST WHICH IS FAR BETTER. IN LOVING MEMORY OF JAMES O’NEILL OF HOUNDSLOW CO. WESTMEATH DOED JANUr 1890 AGED 50 YEARS. ALSO HIS DAUGHTER JANE SELINA DIED SEPTr 14TH 1884 AGED 11 YEARS. ALSO HIS SON GEORGE DIED APRIL 4TH 1893 AGED 30 YEARS. ALSO HIS WIFE ELIZABETH DIED 24TH MARCH 1907 AGED 74 YEARS”. At bottom on left hand side T. Callary
8) O’NEILL 1899-1959…” SAFE IN THE ARMS OF JESUS. SACRED TO THE MEMORY OF MY DEARLY LOVED HUSBAND RICHARD O’NEILL M.A. L L B, OF HOUNDSLOW CO. WESTMEATH DIED SEPT. 6TH 1899 AGED 33 YEARS. AND OF HIS WIFE HARRIET DIED 11TH JULY 1959 AGED 88YEARS. ABSENT FROM THE BODY PRESENT WITH THE LORD “. At the left bottom T. Callary.
62 Headstones on South Side of Church from East to West
Row 1.
9) McNAMEE 1971…Low stone with rolled top. “ IN MEMORY OF JAMES McNAMEE BALTRASNA, WHO DIED 26TH MAY 1971. R I P. DILIS GO BAS DO POBLACHT NA H’EIREANN”.
10) GREY1860…Peaked top. “ERECTED BY JOHN GREY IN MEMORY OF HIS FATHER WILLIAM GREY WHO DIED 25TH MAY 1860 AGE 45 YEARS. NOT LOST BUT GONE BEFORE”.
11) GRAY 1850-62…A tall narrow stone with a leafy branch at top. “ ERECTED BY MARY GRAY IN MEMORY OF HER BELOVED FATHER JOHN GRAY DIED DECbr 25TH 1854 AGED 50 YEARS. HER DEAR MOTHER ELIZABETH DIED MARCH 28TH 1850 AGED 45 YEARS. HER BROTHER WILLIAM DIED NOVEMBER 21ST 1858 AGED 14 YEARS. HER DEAR SISTER JANE DIED FEBRUARY 17TH 1862 AGED 30 YEARS”. At bottom ‘BLESSED ARE THE DEAD THAT DIED IN THE LORD’. Rev. 14 ch 13 ver. At bottom corner Miles Mc Cabe Xdrum.
Row 2.
12) LYNCH 1750… A very old type of stone almost completely underground. Only the front with the inscription is dressed. Simple scroll at top, cross and IHS under it. The letters are very large. “PRAY FOR YE SOLE OF BRYAN LYNCH WHO DIED
MARCH YE 1ST 1750 …….There is likely more deeper down than we can expose.
13) LYNCH 1780-1821….. Very old type of stone half buried in the ground and tilting forward and to the north. Cross and IHS in a full sunburst. “ERECTd by JAs LYNCH OF GLEASTOWN IN MEMORY OF HIS FATHr JOHN LYNCH WHO DIED 1780 AGED 67 YEARS. HIS WIFE MARY LYNCH WHO DIED 1791 AGED 31 Yrs. ALSO HIS BROTHER PHILIP WHO DIED IN 1821AGED 67 Yrs. ALSO HIS BROTHER HARRY WHO DIED IN 1817 AGED 61 Yrs”.
14) COOK 1763…. Small piece of broken headstone nearly altogether buried in the ground with “ SOUL OF PATRICK COOK WHO DIED FEBRUARY 24. 1763 AGED 36 Yrs”. on it. Dr. Philip O’Connell writing in The Record year 1949 on the Crossdrum Chalice which bears an inscription in Latin saying it was presented by Stephen and Elizabeth Cooke in 1635 mentions that no one in this neighbourhood knows of this or any Cooke, of course the fragment of Cooke stone we found belongs to 130 yrs later but if the rest of the stone was found it mite give some particulars that would link it with the famous Chalice.
Row 3
15) REILLY 1773-79…..A big old stone with a crack and at the top centre a right hand couped at the shoulder holding a dagger, a wreath underneath and a scroll with the motto ‘FORTITUDE ET PRUDENTIA’. It was covered in moss, domed at the top and flaking badly. “THIS STONE WAS ERECTd IN MEMORY OF JAM…EILLY OF LOUGHCREW…POSTERITY WHO DIED JUNe 11. 1-73 or (1-78) AGED 81……HIS CHILDREN THOs REILLY DIED JANUy 29. 1776 AGED 40 Yrs. JOHN REILLY……JULY 6. 1776 AGED 4….HIS WIFE BRIDGd REILLY DIED MAY 9. 1779 AGED…..Yrs. JAMES REILLY DIED…..THE 21…..8……AGED Ye….”. There is more to the inscription but it is unreadable. There is a doublelined frame around the whole inscription. The crack on the right hand side was mended a long time ago.
16) CURRIN 1761-70…..Very old type of stone tilting backwards, domed at top, full sunburst with cross IHS and 3 barbs. “PRAY FOR THE SOUL OF JOHN CURRIN WHO DIED DECEr 10TH 1761 AGED 68 Yrs. HIS WIFE MARY CURRIN WHO DIED JANry Ye 22nd. 1770 AGED 67 Yrs. ALSO HIS DAUGHTER ANNE CURRIN DIED MAY 17…AGd 38. ERECTED BY HIS SON BAR…..CURRIN”.
17) HARMIN 1834….A Tabletomb with 5 surviving pedestals and one lying nearby. The top lefthand corner is broken off but we found it. “HERE ARE DEPOSITED THE REMAINS OF WILLIAM MORTON HARMIN ESQ. OF CROSSDRUM WHO DIED THE 12. DAY OF AUGUST 1834 AGED 64 YEARS. A MAN WHO LIVED REMARKABLE FOR ALL THE VIRTUES THAT CONSTITUTE A CHRISTIAN AND DIED IN THE SINCERE HOPE OF A GLORIOUS RESURRECTION”.
Row 4
18) GARRY 1741…Small plain stone much buried in the ground. Cross and IHS. “HERE LYETH Ye BODY OF PATRICK GARRY WHO DIED JULY 1741 AGED 71 ALSO …….
19) GARRIGAN 1795 -1830… Very large thin wide stone with a domed top. A lozenge border goes all around the inscription. The left side and top are much broken, but have a full sunburst with cross IHS & flower (or tree). On right side at top is ‘EXCELSIS DEO’, but the first part of the Latin motto on the left side is missing. A cherub with wings on right side. Only part of the long inscription is now present.
“………………..UMENT WAS ERECTED BY ……………AND PATT GARRIGAN OF. ……….MEMORY OF THEIR FATHER OWEN…………WHO DEPARTED MARCH 1795 AGED…………MATHEW HIS SON WHO ALSO DEPARTED MAY 1814 AGED 61 Yrs. PHILIP WHO ALSO DEPARTED AUGUST 20TH 1818 AGED 52 Yrs JAMES WHO ALSO DEPARTED MARCH 17th 1819 AGED 58 YEARS. PATT
WHO ALSO DEPARTED FEBRUARY 17th 1827 AGED 71 Yrs. OWEN GARRIGAN
WHO ALSO DEPARTED MARCH 4TH 1830 AGED 69 YEARS”.
20) BOOKER 1818-38…A very heavy stone with a doomed top, one circular ornament (perhaps a sun with rays or a shield) is carved at centre top. “SACRED TO THE MEMORY OF BENJAMIN BOOKER OF OLDCASTLE WHO DEPd THIS LIFE THE 10th OF MAY 1818 AGED 48 Yrs. ALSO OF SUSANNAH HIS WIFE WHO DEPd THIS LIFE THE 24 SEPTbr 1838 AGED 64 Yrs.”
Row 5.
21) KIERNAN 1895… This headstone apparently consisted of 3 pieces…. A base, a middle piece with the inscription and a top piece which is missing. “ERECTED BY BESSIE KIERNAN IN LOVING MEMORY OF HER BROTHER JAMES DIED NOVEMBER 13TH 1895. RIP”.
22) KEIRNAN 1755…Rounded top. “HERE LYETH THE BODy OF CHRISr KEIRNAN(the E & I are reversed on this stone) WHO DIED MARCH Ye 16th1755 In Ye 76 OF Ysr AGED…..we think the last few words should be ‘IN Ye 76 YR AGED…’
23) LORD 1753…Plain stone slightly rounded at top. “HERE LYETH BODY OF ROBERT LORD WHO DIED FEBRUARY Ye 18. 1753 AGED 8-”.
24) CREMER 1754-59…A plain stone straight across at the top, tilting to right. “THIS STONE WAS ERECTED BY HUGH CREMER MASON IN THE PARISH OF LOUGHCREW IN THE YEAR 1759. HERE LYETH THE BODY OF ALEXANDER CREMER WHO DEPARTED THIS LIFE JULY THE 17TH 1754 AGED 16 YEARS”.
25) BOOKER 1820-65…A Tabletomb lying broken on the ground and its 4 pedestal stones lying in different places nearby. “……. REMAINS OF……..OF OLDCASTLE
…….MARCH 4th 1820 AGED 58 YEARS……..ALSO HIS SON WORSHIP BOOKER WHO DIED OCTOBER 6th 1829…….AGED 42 YEARS…….ERECTED TO THE MEMORY OF AN AFFECTIONATE HUSBAND AND FATHER BY HIS WIDOW CATHERINE BOOKER”. Then the following in a different and much smaller script. “TO THE MEMORY OF CATHERINE WIFE OF JOHN BO………..ALSO TO THE MEMORY OF CATHERINE BOOKER AND TO THE MEMORY OF ANTHONY HER FATHER WHO DIED THE 24……….1847 AGED 54 ALSO MARGARET BOOKER HIS………WHO DIED MAY 18 1865 AGED 62 YEARS”. This latter inscription is very far from clear.
26) BOOKER 1860…….Upright stone with peaked top. “ERECTED IN AFFECTIONATE REMEMBERANCE OF ELLEN DOUGHTY WIFE OF GEORGE ESQr OF GILLSTOWN CO MEATH OBIT JULY 26TH 1860.” At bottom Coates Dublin.
27) BOOKER 1872-78…..Upright headstone inside a very high and massive iron railing. A solid cross with 4 bosses and a fifth in the centre. “TO THE MEMORY OF GEORGE BOOKER ESQr ROCKBROOK CASTLEPOLLARD CO. WESTMEATH FELL ASLEEP IN JESUS MAY 7TH 1872 AGED 83 YEARS. ALSO OF HIS FIFTH DAUGHTER JANE WIFE OF ALEXANDER C. CUMMINS ESQr WHO DEPARTED THIS LIFE AT MELBOURNE AUSTRALIA FEB. 20TH1873. THE RIGHTEOUS PERISHETH, AND NO MAN LAYETH IT TO HEART: AND MERCIFUL MEN ARE TAKEN AWAY, NONE CONSIDERING THAT THE RIGHTEOUS IS TAKEN AWAY FROM THE EVIL TO COME. ISAIAH 57.1. IN LOVING MEMORY ALSO OF ANNE MARIA WIFE OF GEORGE BOOKER WHO DEPARTED THIS LIFE 20TH SEPTEMBER 1874 AGED 79 YEARS. AND OF THEIR TWO SONS GEORGE THEIR SECOND WHO DIED NOV.13. 1876 AGED 38 AND JOHN ELDEST SON WHO DIED NOV. 19. AGED 43 YEARS
28) HENRY 1815…Recumbent slab. “HERE MRS SARAH HENRY LIES ENTOMBED, THE TENDER PARENT AND THE LOVING WIFE. IN WHOSE MEEK BOSOM ALL THE VIRTUES BLOOMeD AGED 4 – WHEN SHE RESIGNED HER LIFE 28 SEPT. 1815”.
Row 6
29) KIERNAN 1833-41…Upright headstone. Plant in pot under centre of domed top. “ERECTED BY JOHN KIERNAN IN MEMORY OF HIS FATHER CHRISTOPHER WHO DIED JANUARY 15TH 1833 AGED 46 YEARS”. ALSO HIS MOTHER ELIZABETH WHO DIED FEBRUARY 12TH 1841 AGED 49 YEARS”. At bottom T. Callary XDrum.
30) No name or date … This is a small stone with a primitive type of crucifixion carved on it. A large rectangular stone lies in front of it and prevents us lifting the little stone. Only to our Lord’s Loincloth is exposed and no cross is shown. The left side is broken away at our Lord’s wrist. The exposed part of stone is about a foot square. The carving is of a very primitive type and perhaps belongs to an early date.
31) SMITH 1742….Domed stone more than half sunk in the ground and covered in moss. Very plain and old fashioned. Cross and IHS at top. “HERE LYETH YE BODY OF WILLIAM SMITH AND ALLY OF CORBALLY YE LATTr DIED 9 BER YE 3RD 1742 AGED 45”.
32) SMYTH 1773 & 4…Tilting backwards covered in moss immediately behind & very close to Nos. 28 and 30. Much sunk in the ground. Half a sunburst with cross and IHS. “HERE LIETH THE BODY OF TERENCE SMYTH WHO DEPARTED THIS LIFE JUNE THE 12TH 1773 AGED 65 Yrs. ALSO HIS TWO SONS PHILIP AND OWEN DEPARTED DO THE 29TH DAY OF JULY AGED 31 YEARS EACH. HIS DAUGHTER MARY DEPARTd MARCH THE 4TH 1774 AGED 24 YEARS”. Does ‘do’ stand for ditto i.e. both?
33) No name or date. Large stone with a plain cross at top but all the inscription has flaked off except at the bottom where we see “AGED 13”.
34) Jones vault 1743-57… The covering recumbent slab is out of position and fallen to the south. Just west of this slab is the entrance into the vault with 2 steps down into the underground chamber. It was broken into years ago and no one cared enough to seal it up again. The inscription is on the recumbent slab and has a dot between each word and the long S is used throughout. “THIS. TOMB. WAS. ERECTED. BY. WILLIAM. JONES. OF. NEWTOWN. IN. THE. PARISH. OF. LOUGHCREW. GENTLn. UNDER. WHICH. LIETH. THE. BODY. OF. HIS. SON. THOMAS. WHO. DEPARTED. THIS. LIFE. 13TH. SEPr. 1743. IN. THE. 3d. YEAR. OF. HIS. AGE. LIKEWISE. THE. BODY. OF. HIS. SON. WILLIAM. WHO. DEPARTED. THIS. LIFE. —–TH. SEPr. 1713. IN. THE. 5TH. YEAR. OF. HIS. AGE. ALSO. THE. BODY. OF. HIS. DAUGHTER. SARAH. WHO. DEPARTED. THIS. LIFE. 6tTH. SEPr.1715. in. the. 2d. YEAR. OF. HER. AGE. ALSO. THE. REMAINS. OF. THE. SON. Mr. WILLIAM. JONES. WHO. DEPARTED. THIS. LIFE. SEPTr. 2d. 1749. IN. THE. 51. YEAR. OF. HIS. AGE. ALSO.SARAH. JONES. RELECT. OF. Ye. ABOVE. WILLIAm. JONES.WHO. DEPARTED. THIS. LIFE. 21ST. OF. AUGst. 1757. IN. YE. 52nd. YR. OF. HER. AGE”. Relict is spelt relect.
Mr. Matthew O’Reilly in his article on Loughcrew in Rioch Na Midhe year 1958 says with regard to the Jones Vault…. “There is a vault to the south of the Church which has on it the name Jones of Newtown, which is the name of the farmyard and townland owned by the Napers. The date appears to be 1743. There is a strange story told of this tomb and of the wife of this Jones. She got a weakness one evening from which she did not appear to recover, she was presumed to be dead. In due course she was interred in this tomb. She seems to have been a very beautiful woman, fond of dress and especially jewellery. She always wore a magnificent diamond ring which had to be buried with her as it could not be removed without cutting off the finger. They seemed to be in good circumstances, for they always kept a butler to attend family meals. This butler, knowing all about the family, had, like his mistress a great admiration for diamonds, so the night after the funeral he decided that he would recover the diamond ring at any cost. He provided himself with the necessary implements to open the tomb and the coffin, as well as a sharp knife. This he did in the dead of the night and when he saw the magnificent ring on his mistress’s finger he at once proceeded to remove it by cutting into the flesh. As soon as he did the blood began to flow. His mistress moved and opened her eyes and gave a piercing scream. The butler bolted leaving the ring and his mistress in the vault and the story says he was never heard of again in Loughcrew neighbourhood. The lady got out of the coffin and in her grave-clothes appeared at Newtown to the surprise and no little horror of her family”.
35) Hughes1797…. A broke bit of stone tilting forward covered in moss. The only bit of inscription we could make out was “AS ERECTd…UGHES IN MEMOy . …GHTER JANE HUGHES ….. 20 YEARS APRIL THE 10th 1776 … ALSO 9 OF HIS CHILDREN WHO …..DIED IN THEIR MINORITY.”
36) FEAGAN 1797… Tilting backwards, covered in moss, domed top, cross and IHS. “HERE LIETH BO… OF MATTHIs FEAGAN WHO DIED JANry THE 24th 1797 AGED 60”.
37) KELLY 1751-53… A broken bit of stone which has flaked off some headstone and has a cross and IHS at its top. “HERE LIETH THE BODY OF PHILIP KELLY WHO DIED JANUARY THE 26.1751 AGE 48. ALSO OF CHRISTY KELLY DIED MAY 1753 AGEd 16”.
Row 7.
38) TUITE 1722-24… This large heavy upright stone is next to the south wall of the ruined Church and not far from the door into the Plunket’s Annexe Chapel over their sealed up family vault. It measures 39 ½ ins across, 48 ins from top to ground and 6 ins thick. The top of this massive stone was missing but we found loose in the graveyard the righthand half, which contains half of the coat of arms of the Tuite family. According to Fairbairn’s Crests it is….an angel vested, argent, in Dexter hand a flaming sword proper, sinister hand rests on a shield of the arms, and 3 alleluiahs on a scroll. The shield carries a St.George’s Cross. “HERE LYETH THE BODY OF THOMAS TUITE LATE OF DRUMSAUREY COUNTY OF MEATH GENT. WHO DEPARTED THIS LIFE THE FIRST DAY OF SEPTEMBER IN TE YEAR 1722 AND IN THE 49th YEAR OF HIS AGE. LIKEWISE LYEH THE BODY OF HIS YOUNGEST SON THOMAS TUITE WHO DEPARTED THIS LIFE THE 29th OF DECEMBr AND IN THE 6th YEAR OF HIS AGE 1724”.
39) TUITE 1756-57… This is a loose piece of stone with uncarved edges and would appear to have been intended to be laid on a grave or vault. Cross and IHS at top. “THIS STONE WAS ERECTED BY MARK TUITE FOR HIS SUCCESSORS AND PREDECSSORS AND FOR HIS FATHER OLIVER TUITE WHO DIED FEB.22. 1757 AGED 57. HIS MOTHER MARY TUITE DIED JAN. 1756 AGD 52”.
40) NULTY 1785-1807 … Large upright stone with a doomed top, half sunburst, cross and IHS . “THIS MONUMENT WAS ERECTd BY JAMES NULTY OF LOUGHCREW OCTr 18O7 IN MEMORY OF HIS FATHER JOHN NULTY WHO DIED SEPTr 8TH 1785 AGED 26 YEARS. OWEN NULTY DIED OCTr 22ND 1787 AGED 29 YEARS, FRANCIS NULTY DIED AUGUST 1ST 1791 AGED 28 YEARS. THEIR FATHER CHRISTr NULTY WHO DIED MARCH 18TH1792 AGED 60 YRS”. On the right hand side is a well carved stopper stone.
41) NULTY 1883-1900… This is a two part stone with the inscription on the base. Top piece is a ringed cross. “OF YOUR CHARITY PRAY FOR THE HAPPY REPOSE OF THE SOUL OF JOHN NULTY OF CAPPAGH COy CAVAN WHO DIED FEB. 24TH
1883 AGED 76 YEARS. CATHERINE NULTY DIED JAN. 8TH 1900 aged 82 years. R I P. ERECTED BY HIS SORROWING WIDOW CATHERINE NULTY”.
42) No name or date… A much buried headstone with the whole inscription flaked off.
43) TORENEY 1834-7… A very large stone tilting backwards, chalice and cross on each side at top. In centre a full sunburst with a large cross in its centre. ‘GLORIA IN EXCELSIS DEO’ around upper half of sunburst. “DEDICATED (a raised band across the stone under this word) BY THOMAS TORENEY OF NEWTOWN Co. MEATH TO THE MEMORY OF HIS BELOVd FATHER JOHN TORENEY WHO DEPARTED THIS LIFE ON THE 29th DAY OF SEPTEMBER 1834 AGED 78 YEARS. AND ALSO HIS BELOVED MOTHER ANNE TORENEY WHO DEPARTED THIS LIFE ON THE 20th DAY OF JANUARy 1837 AGED 82 Yrs”.
44) SMITH 1764-71…Recumbent stone which was an upright one, old and rough. “HERE LYETH THE BODY OF CONNER SMITH WHO DIEd APRILYE 6. 1764 AGED 50. ALSO ANN SHERIDAN ALIAS SMITH WHO DIED DECEMBr 1771 ERECTd BY PATRICK SMITH”.
45) KELLY 1757…Nearly all sunk in the ground, tilted to right, domed top with cross and IHS. “PRAY FOR Ye SOUL OF JOHN KELLY WHO DIED IN JULY Ye 5TH 1757 AGED 53 Yrs”.
46) ROBINSON 1782…Domed top, covered in moss, large cherub with outstretched wings with foliage above it. The cherub is of oriental type and all features are clearly shown. The body is covered with feathers. “THIS MONUMENT WAS ERECTED BY HENRY ROBINSON IN MEMORY OF HIS FATHER THOs ROBINSON WHO DEPARTED THIS LIFE JANUy THE 20TH 1783 AGED 87 yrs”. A small scroll is at the end of the inscription.
47) GAYNOR NO DATE…We found this rough piece of sandstone underground and on raising and cleaning it we deciphered part of an inscription on it. H(likely part of IHS) a top and cross under it. “PRAY FOR THE SOL (u left out) OF MARY GAYNOR (the last letter R is carved as an Irish R)…
Row 8.
48) COOLRICK 1762… Plain undressed stone three quarters under ground, cross and IHS at top, scroll on each side, half sunburst. “THIS STONE WAS ERECT—BY THOMAS COOLRICK IN MEMORY OF HIS SON JAMES COOLRICK WHO DIED NOVEMr 20. 1762 AGED 14 YEARS”.
49) SMITH 1766…Plain undressed stone rather wider than usual, cross and IHS with a carved semicircle around it in a domed top. “PRAY FOR THE SOUL OF PHILIP SMITH WHO DIED MARCH YE 16TH 1766 AGED 70 YEArs”.
50) GLANEN no date… We found this small piece of undressed stone lying down …. ”ERECTED BY WILLIAM GLANEN FOR HIS WIFE ……”.
51) SMITH 1733-52…This stone is only slightly dressed. It has a peaked top, cross and IHS . “PRAY FOR YE SOUL OF PATRICK SMITH WHO DIED FEB.Ye 17TH 1733 AGED 51. CHARLs SMITH DIED 1747. JOHN SMITH DIED 1752”.
52) SMITH 1780…Domed top. 17 on left side and 80 on right of a full sunburst encircling a cross IHS and heart with 3 barbs. Tulip spray across top. “THIS MONUMENT WAS ERECTED BY PATRICK SMITH IN MEMORY OF HIS FATHER CONNER SMITH & POSTERITY.” Long S used in Posterity and a scroll completes the last line.
53) PLUNKETT, SMITH& O’REILLY 1902…This stone has fallen down and lies on the ground in 3 pieces. The inscription now faces west. “IN LOVING MEMORY OF MISS M.L. PLUNKETT DUNOWEN. DR. MRS & MISS’S SMYTH BRACKLONY AND KEVIN LZOD O’REILLY WHO IS ALSO INTERRED HERE. MAY THEIR SOULS AND ALL INTERRED HERE REST IN PEACE. ERECTED BY B. M. BEGLEY NEE SMITH FEB. 1902”. The last Smith is spelt with an I and not a Y.
Row 9.
54) MORGAN 1756-64… Rough rectangular stone with a very large cross and IHS in centre of top. “PRAY FOR THE SOUL OF LAURENCE MORGAN WHO DIED FEBRUARY 7. 1756 AGED 70. ALSO For JAMES MORGAN WHO DIED FEBRUARY 9. 1761 AGED 14. ERECTED BY HUGH MORGAN”.
55) BATTERSBY 1761-1899… Recumbent slab measuring 94 ins long by 43 ins wide and 6 ins thick. Date at top 1774. Inscription covers the whole slab. “THIS STONE WAS ERECTED IN MEMry of WILLIAM AND MARY BATTERSBY OF CLONABREANY AND THEIR POSTERITY. WILLIAM BATTERSBY DEPARTED THIS LIFE DECbr 1761 AGED 86Yrs. MARY DEPARTED THIS LIFE DECr 1761 AGED 86 Yrs. MARY DEPARTED THIS LIFE DECr 1771 AGED 86 YEARS. THEIR CHILDREN ELIZABETH DIED 17-6 AGED 10YEARS. CHARLES DIED 1756 AGED 17 YEARS. ELIZABETH THE WIFE OF JOHN BATTERSBY DIED THE 21st NOVr 1764 AGED 23 YEARS. CAROLINE DIED 1772 AGED 14 YEARS, THOs DIED 1772 AGED 68 YEARS. ROBERT BATTERSBY DEPARTED THIS LIFE APRIL 7TH 1785 AGED 64 YEARS. JOHN BATTERSBY DEPARTED THIS LIFE 24th MAY 1803 AGED 84. JOHN BATTERSBY OF LAKEFIELD DIED AUGUST 1839. THOMAS EDWARD BATTERSBY DIED DECEMBER 1855 AND TO ELIZABETH WIFE OF THE REV. J. F. BATTERSBY WHO DIED ON THE 25TH OF OCTOBER 1870. REV. JOHN FRANCIS BATTERSBY DIED 30th SEPt 1877 AGED 68 YEARS. ALSO ROBERT HENRY BATTERSBY 20th JUNE 1899 AGED 87 YEARS”.
56) FLANAGAN 1759-92…This stone we found under the grave. It has a domed top with inscription inside a deep frame. The bottom of the stone is missing. “THIS STONE IS ERECTED BY WILLIAM FLANAGAN OF LOUGHCREW FOR HIM AND HIS POSTERITY OVER YE BODY OF HIS FATHER PATRICK FLANAGAN WHO DEPARTED THIS LIFE APRIL 17TH 1759 AGED 67 YEARS. THE ABOVE WILLm FLANAGAN DEPARTED THIS LIFE THE 10TH MARCH 1792 AGED 64 YEARS. ELIZABETH FLANAGAN…..WILLm DEPART…..” The stone is broken off here and we failed to find the bottom part.
57) ROTHERAM 1863-81…This stone and the next one (no.58) are very similar, both are narrow high-peaked type within the same enclosure with an iron railing around them. “SACRED TO THE MEMORY OF EDWARD ROTHERAM ESQr OF CROSSDRUM CO. MEATH WHO DEPARTED THIS LIFE FEBRUARY 14TH 1881 AGED 91. ALSO OF HIS WIFE BARBARA ROTHERAM WHO DEPARTED THIS LIFE AUGUST 6TH 1863 AGED 64. ERECTED BY THEIR CHILDREN AS A TOKEN OF FILIAL RESPECT AND AFFECTION. THE GIFT OF GOD IS ETERNAL LIFE THROUGH JESUS CHRIST ROMANS 6TH CHAPTER 23 VERSE”. At bottom right corner Coates and at left corner Dublin.
58) ROTHERAM 1844-84…”THIS STONE IS ERECTED BY MARIA McVEAGH WO DIED 18TH FEBy 1890 AND WHO IS BURIED IN GIRLEY IN LOVING MEMORY OF HER FATHER THOMAS ROTHERAM OF TRIERMORE DIED 1861 AND HER MOTHER MARIA DIED 1857 ALSO THEIR CHILDREN…..CATHERINE DIED 1844 WILLIAM DIED 1853 AND THOMAS EDWARD DIED 1884. FOR IF WE BELIEVE THAT JESUS DIED AND ROSE AGAIN, EVEN SO THEM WHCH SLEEP IN JESUS WILL GOD BRING WITH HIM”. I Thess.. IV 14. At bottom Harrison Dublin.
Row 10
59) GRAUNY 1773…Rough undressed stone with cross and IHS at top. “THIS STONE WAS ERECTd BY PHILIP GRAUNY FOR HIMSELF WIFE AND FAMILY 1773 AGE 52”.
60) DAILY 1762-74…Rough stone with domed top, full sunburst. Cross IHS and heart with 3 barbs. “THIS STONE IS ERECTd IN MEMORY OF CONNOR DAILY WHO DIED APRIL THE 12TH 1762 AGED 61 YEARS. HIS SON PATRICK DAILY Who DIED JANUARY THE 4TH 1774 AGED 30 Yrs.”
61) SMITH 1743…Small undressed stone half buried in the ground with cross and 17 on left hand side and 43 on right side but no I or S on either side of the H. “HEAr ( an Irish R used and the spelling should be here) LYth Ye BODY OF OWN SMith ANDREW S…..AND NELSE”.
62) SMITH 1732-62…Round headed undressed stone tilting backwards and to left. Considerable size with a spiral on each side connected by a semicircular line: above we get a cross and IHS. “THIS STONE WAS ERECTED BY BRYAN SMITH FOR HIMSELF AND HIS FAMILY. OWEN SMITH DIED 8br 21St 1736 AGED 20. NELLY SMITH DIED JANUARY 25TH 1741 AGED 18: ANDREW SMITH DIED 7br 1742 AGED 20 AND JOAN MANCHEN DIED MARCH Ye 8TH 1753 AGED 73. THE SAID BRYAN DIED…….3d…….1762…We could not read any more as it is sunk too firmly in the ground for us to loosen
63) BREADY 1764…Half buried and covered in moss. A very rough stone with cross IHS and heart but only a bit of inscription could be read? “THIS MONUMENT ……. BY……BREADY IN MEMORY OF HIS FATHER BRIN…..BREADY WHO DIED JUNE…..1764……60 YEARS…….
64) BRADY 1812…Domed top tilting to left and half underground, full sunburst around a cross IHS and heart with a plant growing out of it. “ERECTED BY ANNE BRADY ALIS(A is left out of Alias) REILY IN MEMORY OF HER HUSBAND THOs BRADY WHO DEPARTED THIS LIFE JANUARY THE 27TH 1812 AGE 74 YEARS. ALSO OF HIS FATHER BRYAN BRADY, OWEN BRADY AND…..BRADY. REQUIESCANT IN PACE AMEN”.
65) JOBSON 1854-90…Tall narrow stone with a peaked top and fancy circle in the centre above. “ERECTED IN MEMORY OF FANNIE JOBSON WHO DIED FEBr 1854 AND HER HUSBAND HENRY JOBSON WHO DIED MAY 1859 ALSO Wm HENRY JOBSON WHO DIED 1886 AND JOHN JOBSON WHO DIED MAY 1894 GRANDSONS OF THE ABOVE AND JAMES JOBSON FATHE OF THE TWO LATER(This should be latter)DIED APRIL 1895 MARIA JOBSON WIFE OF ABOVE JAMES DIED 4TH JULY 1900. JAMES JOBSON SON OF THE ABOVE JAMES AND MARIA DIED 14TH AUG.190-. BLESSED ARE THE DEAD THAT DIE IN THE LORD. REV.14.13. IN LOVING MEMORY OF JAMES JOBSON”.
Row 11
66) GIBN—1749…Undressed small stone of very rough texture, sunk in ground so that only some of the inscription can be read. Cross and IHS under a semicircular line. “PRAY FOR Ye SOUL OF MARGARET GIBN—WHO DEPARTED THIS LIFE OCTbr Ye 5th 1749 AND IN Ye 18TH YEAR OF HER AGE”.
67) No name or date…We dug up this narrow piece of sandstone with 3 crosses deeply and roughly incised on it.
68) GIBNEY 1739-90…This is a large wide stone tilting to left, with a domed top. Carving is very faint, full sunburst, tulips, cross IHS and heart with flames. ‘BE JUST AND FEARE NOT’ around bottom of sunburst (E at the end of fear). 17 on left side of sunburst and 89 on right side. “THIS STONE WAS ERECTED BY CHRIS GIBNEY IN MEMORY OF EDWUND GIBNEY WHO DIED APRIL 17.1765 AGED 75 Yrs (then a scroll). ALSO HIS WIFE JUDITH GIBNEY ALIAS VILDON DIED AUGUST 24. 1739 AGED 50 Yrs. ALSO MARY GIBNEY DIED FEBy 10. 1764 AGED 34 Yrs and JOHN GIBNEY SON TO Ye ABOVE DIED SEPr 14. 1777 AGED 22. THE ABOVE CHRISr DIED AUGUST Ye 10. 1790 AGED 74 YEARS”.
69) GAUAN 1749…Broken bit of tombstone with cross and IHS , and a tree on either side of them. “HERE LYRTH Ye BODY OF BRIDGET GAUAN WHO DEPARTED THIS LIFE JUNE 1749 AGED 18”. I wonder could this name be Gavan?
70) No name or date…This is a broken bit of slab with the lower half of a sunburst on it and IHS but no inscription.
30 Headstones in South-West part of Graveyard.
Row 1
71) DALTON 1851…Upright stone with domed top and Gloria etc around it, cross IHS and flaming heart. “ERECTED BY CHRISTOPHER DALTON OF BALTRASNA TO THE MEMORY OF HIS BELOVED MOTHER CATHERINE DALTON WHO DEPd THIS LIFE ON 20TH MARCH 1851 AGED 60 YEARS. REQUIESCANT IN PACE”.
72) DONOCHO 1779…Very old looking stone with a domed top, cross IHS and flaming heart inside a double circle and sunburst. 17 on left side and 80 on right side, and between the numerals 2 hearts and a plant. A dove with an olive leaf on each side and carved over the righthand bird is D O V E. “THIS STONE WAS ERECTED BY FARREL AND DANIEL DONOCHO IN MEMORY OF THEIR FATHER THOMAS DONOCHO WHO DIED APRIL THE 24TH 1779 AGED 47 Yrs”.
Row 2.
73) GIBNY 1740-48…Stone with only slight carving. Cross and IHS. “PRAY FOR Ye SOUL OF JAMES GIBNY WHO DIED JAN. 1740 AGEd 57 ALSO FOR JAMs GIBNY’S JUNIOR DECEASd JUNE 13. 1748 AGED 23”
74) GIBNEY 1938-66…Celtic cross with a heart in its centre and a small cross in each limb. “IN MEMORY OF CATHERINE GIBNEY CASTLE ST. OLDCASTLE WHO DIED 21st DEC. 1938 AGED 80 YEARS. HER SON MATTHEW DIED 11TH OCT. 1951 AGED 62 YEARS. HIS SON CHRISTOPHER DIED 23RD JAN. 1966 AGED 46 YEARS. AND HIS WIFE MARGARET DIED 10TH SEPT 1966 AGED 70 YEARS. R I P. At bottom Gibney.
75) FAGAN 1779-83…Very rough old stone with domed top, tilting forward , sunburst around cross IHS and heart with 3 barbs. A cherub on each side with a plant above head. A band of diamonds above the inscription and a vine on each side of it. “THIS STONE WAS ERECTED BY JAMES FAGAN AND CATHERINE FAGAN ALIAS McGUIRE OF NEWCASTLE IN MEMORY OF HIS FATHER MICHAEL FAGAN WHO DIED OCTOBER THE 6. 1779 AGED 83 Yrs. HIS MOTHER ROSE DIED MAY THE 21. 1780 AGED 78 Yrs. (Scroll at end of this line). ALSO HS BROTHER LAURENCE FAGAN HUSBAND TO THE ABOVE CATHERINE WHO DIED JULY THE 10 ANNO DOMINI 1783.
76) FEGAN 1838-68…Very large tall stone tilting forward with domed top, Gloria etc around cross IHS and heart. Chalice on each side. A High ridge around the inscription “ERECTED BY JAMES, JOHN, JOSEPH, AND WALTER FEGEN IN MEMORY OF THEIR FATHER JOHN FEGEN WHO DEPd THIS LIFE 1ST APRIL 1844 AGED 66 YEARS. ALSO THEIR MOTHER CATHERINE FEGEN DIED 29TH NOVr 1858 AGED 72 YEARS. THEIR SISTER CATHERINE DIEd 20TH MAY 1858 AGED 22 YEARS”. Fancy scroll underneath.
77) FEAGAN 1770…Very rough stone with domed top, sunburst around cross IHS and heart. “THIS STONE WAS ERECTED BY THOs FEAGAN IN MEMORY OF HIS WIFE JANE FEAGAN ALIAS McNAMEE WHO DEPARTED THIS LIFE FEBRUARY THE 2ND 1770 AGED 40 YEARS”. A scroll fills the rest of the line.
Row 3.
78) GIBNY 1752… This stone is much sunk in the ground. It is an undressed type. Cross and IHS. “PRAY FOR Ye SOUL OF OWEN GIBNY AND BRIDGET GIBNY WHO DEPARTED THIS LIFE NOVEMBER 1752. “On back “ERECTED BY TERENCE GIBNEY”.
79) GIBNY 1750…Much sunk in ground, an undressed type of stone, a semicircular line with cross and IHS under it. “PRAY FOR THE SOUL OF RICHARD GIBNY WHO DEPARTED THIS LIFE JUNE 1750 AGED 83”.
Row 4.
80) GIBNY 1758… An undressed stone with a fancy scroll around a cross and IHS. “PRAY FOR Ye SOUL OF JAMES GIBNY WHO DIED OCTOBr Ye 29TH 1758 AGED 76”.
81) GIBNEY 1742…Undressed stone with a semicircular line around top of cross and IHS. “PRAY FOR Ye SOUL OF CHARLES GIBNEY WHO DIED MARCH 17TH 1742 AGED 94”.
82) GIBNEY 1856-1933… Celtic cross on a large base, shaft has “THY WILL BE DONE” and shamrocks. IHS in centre. Each limb of the cross has a small boss. “O LORD HAVE MERCY ON THE SOULS OF JOHN GIBNEY OF MOATE DIED 17TH OCT. 1856, HIS BELOVED WIFE MARY DIED 13TH MAY 1889, THEIR AFFECTIONATE SON THOMAS THEIR ELDEST DIED 25TH APRIL 1914, AND LAURENCE DIED 4TH JAN. 1921, MARGARET BELOVED WIFE OF LAURENCE DIED JAN. 1910, MARGARET GIBNEY DIED 7TH NOV. 1933 AGED 78 YEARS”.
83) GIBNEY 1829-56…Peaked stone with Gloria etc around top of a simple cross and IHS. “ERECTED BY BRIDGET GIBNEY IN MEMORY OF HER BELOVED HUSBAND THOMas WHO DEPd AUGt 23RD 1843 AGED 55 YEARS. ALSO HIS SISTER ELLENOR GIBNEY DEPd JULY 15TH 1829 AGED 40 Yrs. AND HIS SON JOHN DIED NOV. 28TH 1856 AGED 39 Yrs”. At bottom “MAY THE REST IN PEACE”. The Y is left out of they.
Row 5.
84) GRAUNY 1743-62…A square undressed stone with IHS. “PRAY FOR Ye SOULS OF PATRICK GRAUNY DIED 9 BER Ye 1ST 1743 AGED 64. PATRICK GRAUNY JUNIOR DIED 10 ber 1762 aged 7 Yrs”.
85) CASEY no date…Small domed uncarved stone with cross and IHS. “THIS STONE AND BURIAL PLACE BELONG TO JOHN CASEY AND HIS POSTERITY”. The long S is used.
86) TUITE 1870 & 71…Gloria etc around top, domed, cross and IHS “ERECTED BY JAMES TUITE OF DROMONE IN MEMORY OF HIS BELOVED MOTHER CATHERINE WHO DIED 1ST MAY 1870 AGED 48 YEARS. ALSO HIS SISTER MARY DIED 24TH JUNE 1871 AGED 11 YEARS”.
87) ………. This headstone was completely underground and when we exposed it we found that no inscription had been carved on either side.
88) ……….1763…Small thin broken piece of stone. We were only able to read a few words. HS at top. “FOR Ye SO…WILLIAM ….EDY WHO DIEd….1L 20TH 1763 AGE ….43 SO….FOR THOs….ENNEDY.”
89) MURTAUGH 1762….Small rough square piece of stone. “PRAY FOR Ye SOUL OF MARY MURTAUGH ALIAS GEGAN WHO DIED OCTOBER Ye 7TH 1762 AGED 30 ERECTED BY THOMAS MURTAUGH”.
Row 6.
90) GRAUNEY 1738…1785 at top. “THIS STONE WAS ERECTED IN MEMOry OF TERce GRAUNEY WHO DIED IN 1738….
91) GRAUNEY 1766- 73…. Domed stone with AD 1775 at top. “THIS STONE WAS ERCd IN MEMORY OF JAMs GRAUNEY OF FORKHILL WHO DIED MAR. THE 9TH 1766 AGED 56 YEARS AND WIFE MARY GRAUNEy DIED NOVr THE 25TH 1773 AGd 66 YEARS”.
92) GARRY 1747….Small undressed stone with cross and IHS. “PRAY FOR THE SOUL OF RICHARD GARRy WHO DIED MAY Ye 1ST 1747 AGED 55 Yrs. ERECTd BY JAMs GARry”.
93) GARRY 1781…. Large carved stone tilting forward, notched top, cherub on each side, feathers shown, cross IHS and Heart with sunburst around it. A sunken line around the inscription and a vine trail, “THIS STONE WAS ERECTED IN MEMORY OF THOs GARRY OF BALLYNEAL WHO DIED JANy THE 8TH 1781 AGED 84 YEARS (scroll). AND OF HIS WIFE MARY WHO DIED JANy THE 15TH 1781 AGED 80 Yrs. ALSO TO PEPETUATE THE MEMOy OF THEIR CHILDREN AND POSTERITY”.
94) MONAGHAN 1737…. Undressed stone with rounded top. IHS. “PRAY FOR THE SOUL OF PIERCE MONAGHAN WHO DIED JANy Ye 17TH 1737 AGED 60”.
95) ST. JOHN 1757…. This stone lies against the south wall of the graveyard. It is a plain stone with a pistol carved at the top. “HERE LYETH THE BODY OF THOs ST. JOHN WHO DIED APRIL THE 12TH 1757 AGED 70 YEARS. ERECTED BY THEIR SON-IN-LAW JOHN MAGANON”.
Row 7.
96) CARNEY 1755….Small undressed stone with cross and IHS under a semicircular line. “PRAY FOR Ye SOUL OF MARGARET CARNEY WHO DIED JULY 7TH 1755 AGED 38”.
97) CARNEY 1779-83….Large domed stone with a cherub on each side and one in centre of top. Then half sunburst and “GLORY BE TO GOD ON HIGH” underneath. Cross IHS and heart with 3 barbs, and a cross and IHS on each side. A lozenge band around inscription. “THIS MONUMENT WAS ERECTED BY NICHOLAS AND THOs CARNEY IN MEMORY OF THEIR FATHER MICHAEL CARNEY WHO DIED MARCh THE 12TH 1779 AGEd 76 Yrs. ALSO THEIR MOTHER MARY CARNEY ALIAS FOX WHO DIED OCTOBER THE 8. 1781 AGED 69 YEARS (then a scroll) AND THEIR SISTER ROSE CARNEY DIED JULY THE 4TH 1779 AGED 39 YEARS. MAY SHE REST IN PACE 1783”.
98) TREANOR 1794…. Large rough stone tilting forward to such an extent that it is very hard to read. Cross and IHS inside a sunburst with a cherub on each side, their feathers show up very well. “THIS SMALL TOKEN OF ESTEEM WAS ERECTED BY MICHL TREANOR AND ALSO IN MEMORY OF HIS SON OWEN TREANOR WHO DEPARTED THIS LIFE MAY THE 10TH 1794 AGED 19 YEARS”.
Row 8.
99) CARNEY 1763…. Small low rough stone with simple cross and IHS. “THIS STONE WAS ERECtd BY RICHARD CARNey AND HIS POSTERITY. HERE LIETH THE BODy OF MARY CARNEY HIS DAUGHTER WHO DIED IN 1763 AGED 5 YEARS”.
100) GOODMAN 1793-1818…. This stone leans to viewer’s right and has a domed top with cross IHS & heart inside a sunburst. On each side a chalice with a plant growing out of it at the top. There is a surrounding leafy trail and a lozenge border across the top and down each side of the inscription. Between the Chalice and the centre of the stone on each side is a fan of rays, with a 4 sided ornament between them. “ERECTED BY FRANCIS GOODMAN SLATOR IN MEMORY OF HIS GRANfTHER (D & A left out & F is a small letter). pETER (P is small) GOODMAN WHO DIED 1793. HIS MOTHER MARY GOODMAN DIED 1818, HIS BROTHER JAMES DIED 1817 AGED 18 YEARS. MAY THE LORD REST THEIR SOULS IN PEACE. AMEN”.
101) WATT 1826…. A rectangular tall stone absolutely straight sides and top. “ERECTED BY JOHN WATT OF CROSSAKEEL IN MEMORY OF HIS FATHER AND MOTHER HENRY AND SARAH WATT”.
5 Headstones in North – West Corner.
102) BATTERSBY 1837-56…. This headstone and the next (103) are within the same good iron paling with a door into it. This is a plain upright stone with a domed top and the Battersby Crest (ram erect) on a wreath and a shield with the family coat of arms impaling another coat (St Andrew’s cross with ermine and crescent above and backed by chequy) the other coat on right side is 10 crossletted crosses with lion rampant in centre. Motto ?ANTE HONOREM HUMILITAS which is “BEFORE HONOUR IS HUMILITY”.
“SACREDTO THE MEMORY OF LIEUT. COLONEL WILLIAM BATTERSBY 1837 AGED 70 AND ALSO OF ANNA MARIA HIS WIFE DAUGHTER OF RICHARD LONG OF LONGFIELD IN THE CO. OF TIPPERARY ESQr WHO DIED JULY 19th 1856 AGED 81”. At bottom… ‘THEM ALSO WHICH SLEEP IN JESUS WILLGOD BRING WITH HIM’. I thes. 4 chap. 14 verse.
103) BATTERSBY 1888….Insidethe same iron paling as No. 102. An upright stone with a notched top, chalice at top in centre with a plant growing out of its top. An ornamental ring on each side. “TO THE MEMORY OF THE REVd ROBERT BATTERSBY M A RECTOR OF KILLEAGH FOR 57 YEARS WHO DIED ON 17th OF SEPT. 1888 AGED 93 YEARS. THIS STONE IS ERECTED BY HIS AFFECT.. FRIEND AND SERVENT THOMAS EATON”. There are 2 dots after ‘AFFECT’.
104) No name or date…Half of a recumbent slab. It seems to be the lower half with the last line of the inscription which we failed to read. It seems to be in an unusual script that we are not conversant with. It is placed just outside the west door of the Church in the grass beyond the avenue. We did not find the other half.
105) TAYLOR 1795…Small head at centre of top 4 ins in diameter. This head is raised and sticking out like half a grapefruit. “HERE LIETH THE BODy OF SAMUEL TAYLOR WHO DEPARTED THIS LIFE DECEMBER 28TH 1795 AGED 29 Yrs”.
106) THORNTON 1771-1796… Domed top. This stone is lying on the ground broken in half but the halves are in position. At top is a big A D & 1776 under it. “THIS STONE IS ERECTED BY FRANCIS THORNTON OF FORKHILL IN THE PARISH OF LOUGHCREW FOR HIM AND HIS POSTERITY…… THE BODY OF HIS FATHER THOs THORNT….. WHO DEPARTED THIS LIFE Ye FIRST OF NOVr 1771 AGED 67 Yrs. THE ABOVE FRANCIS THORNTON DEPARTED THIS LIFE THE 23 OF AUGUST 179-. AGED 36 YEARS. FRANCES THORNTON WIFE TO THE D…THORNTON DEPARTED THIS LIFE …….1796 AGED 57 Yrs”.
12 Headstones on North Side of Church. First we take the 5 next the Church.
107) O’NEILL 1885 … Domed top. This stone is not set in the ground but leans against the church. It seems to be of red granite. “ERECTED BY RICHARD O’NEILL IN MEMORY OF HIS BELOVED WIFE JANE WHO DIED ON THE 2nd APRIL 1885 AGED 56 YEARS”. At bottom ‘BLESSED ARE THE DEAD WHO DIE IN THE LORD’.
108) VINCENT 1834… Inside an iron railing, a large tabletomb with only 2 pedestal stones now in position, so the great heavy slab has fallen to the ground on the west side. “D.O.M. HERE HAVE BEEN DEPOSITED THE MORTAL REMAINS OF THE REVd B. VINCENT A.M. FOR 19 YEARS RECTOR OF THE UNION OF LOUGHCREW WHERE HE DEPARTED THIS LIFE 5th MARCH 1834 AGED 67 YEARS”. D.O.M. Stands for Deo Optimo Maximo which in English means ‘To God, best and greatest’.
109) CRAMOND 1832…. Inside an iron railing, a large upright stone with a domed top, Gloria in Excelsis Deo around top, cross IHS and heart in a sunburst. “AT HIS OWN PARTICULAR DESIRE THE REMAINS OF Mr GEORGE CRAMOnd A NATIVE OF FORFARSHIRE IN SCOTLAND LIES INTERED HERE. FOR NEARLY 7 YEARS AS LAND STEWART AT LOUGHCREW HE FAITHFULLY DISCHARGED HIS TRUST. ESTEEMED IN LIFE IN DEATH REGRETTED. IN THE 43 YEARS OF HIS AGE ON THE 29th MAY 1832 RESIGNED, HE QUIT THIS WORLD AND ALL ITS GAINS IN HOPES OF LIFE BEYOND THE GRAVE. THIS MONUMENT WAS ERECTd TO HIS MEMORY BY HIS AFFLICTd WIDOW ALICIA CRAMONd TO WHOM HE WAS A MOST KIND AND AFFECTIONATE HUSBAND”.
110) DUGGAN 1831…A large rectangular stone with a cross & IHS in a circle in centre of top with a 4 petalled flower on each side. The inscription is below an ornamental bar. ‘GLORIA IN on the left side and ‘EXCELSIS DEO’ on right. “SACRED TO THE MEMORY OF ALEXANDER DUGGAN STUCCO PLASTERER AND ARTIST WHO DEPt THIS LIFE FEBy 16th 1831 AGED 45 YEARS. THIS MONUMENT WAS ERECTED BY A FEW OF HIS ADMIRING FRIENDS AS A SMALL TESTIMONIAL OF THEIR REGARD FOR HIS PERSONAL MERIT AND PROFESSIONAL ABILITY WHICH THE CONTIGUOUS MANSION OF LOUGHCREW ABOUNDS WITH MANY BRILLIANT SPECIMENS. REQUIESCAT IN PACE”.
111) GIBNEY 1828-31… A large stone with a domed top, Gloria etc around top, cross and IHS in a full sunburst. “ERECTED BY THOs GIBNEY OF NEWCASTLE IN MEMORY OF HIS TWO DAUGHTERS ELEANOR AND BRIDGET, ELEnr DIED DECr 1st 1828 AGED 40 Yrs. BRIDGET DIED DECr 8th 1830 AGED 42 Yrs”. At bottom ‘MAY THEY REST IN PEACE’.
7 Headstones next to North Wall of the Graveyard.
112) GIBNEY 1837… Upright stone with domed top, double sunburst around cross IHS and heart with foliage. Gloria etc around lower half of sunburst. On left side – a Bishop (St Patrick?) in flowing robes and mitre and crozier turned outwards. Still on left side but nearer centre is a dove standing on a tree with her head turned backwards over her shoulder with an olive branch in her beak. On right side—on this side we also get a figure in ecclesiastical robes (St Peter?) with a halo or nimbus, holding 2 keys hanging out of a ring, and in his left hand a book. But there is an empty space beyond this figure and nothing to take the place of the dove. The inscription is in an elaborate diamond border. “THIS MONUMENT WAS ERECTd BY PATRICK GIBNEY OF NEWCASTLE IN MEMORY OF HIS AFFECTIONATE DAUGHTER ROSE GIBNEY WHO DEPARTED THIS LIFE MAY 9th 1837 AGED 18 YEARS. REQUIESCANT IN PACE. AMEN”. The last sentence is Latin and English mixed.
113) BATTERSBY 1839 …Very large absolutely plain slab built into the north wall of the graveyard which has a plain pediment above and the grave is enclosed within iron railings. “SACRED TO THE MEMORY OF THOMAS BATTERSBY OF NEWCASTLE ESQr WHO DEPARTED THIS LIFE THE 28 DAY OF FEBRUARY 1839 AGED 72 YEARS”.
114) RUSSELL 1838-45… This plain rectangular slab has fallen out of the wall to which it was originally attached. The plot is enclosed by iron railings. “JOHN RUSSELL DIED 18 APRLi 1838 AGE 18. CATHERINE RUSSELL DIED APRIL 17th 1845 AGED 65 Yrs”. One reference to April is spelt ‘Aprli’.
115) PEEBLES 1837-38…Large recumbent slab resting on 4 pedestal stones but is tilting to the west side. “TO THE MEMORY OF DOCTOR ROBERT PEBBLES LRCSI WHO DIED 12 JUNE A D 1838 AGED 36 YEARS AND OF HIS SISTER MISS MARTHA PEBBLES WHO DIED 26 DECr A D 1837 AGED 33 YEARS. THEY KEPT THE FAITH”. 11 Timothy 4.7, 8.
116) GRAY 1841-54… Upright stone with domed top. “THIS STONE WAS ERECTED IN MEMORY OF JOHN GRAY of BALTRASNA WHO DEPd THIS LIFE FEBRUARY 2ND 1854 AGED 66 YEARS. ALSO HIS SON JOHN WHO DEPd THIS LIFE OCT. 15TH 1841 AGED 17 YEARS. BY HIS CHILDREN”.
117) BLANDFORD 1834-54… This whitish stone is built against the wall and has a domed top and IHS in a sunken circle. The plot is enclosed in an iron railing now very broken down. “IN MEMORY OF THOMAS BLANDFORD OF BELANY DIED AUGUST 13TH 1844 AGED 60, AND SARAH HIS WIFE DIED AUGUST 13TH 1854 AGED 63. ALSO OF WILLIAM AND ALFRED JOHN BLANDFORD THEIR SONS WHO DIED, THE FORMER NOVEMBER 19TH 1834 AGED 3 ½, THE LATTER JULY 21ST 1845 AGED 20. ALSO OF JOHN BROTHER OF THOMAS BLANDFORD DIED JANUARY 4TH 1852 AGED 79”. At bottom Ecclestes Ch. 12 V 7.
118) STEWART 1849-57… This last tablet is built into the wall at the end of the north wall. The plot is enclosed by an iron railing. The stone is of a slaty type and pealing away. It is rectangular and built into the wall and has a pediment above. The first part of the inscription is very difficult if not impossible to read. “ …… SLEEPING IN JESUS ….. HERE LIETH THE BODY OF …. I MANTELL WHO DIED JUNE THE 13TH 1840 AGED 60 YEARS AND HER DAUGHTER MATILDA STEWART THE BELOVED WIFE OF ALEXANDER STEWART SHE DIED THE 1st JAN. 1849 AGED 35 Yrs. AND CEO. MANTELL WHO DIED 15th JANy 1857 AGED 78”.
Between the motte and the garden wall but beyond the former is a peculiar formation of stones erected like tombstones very close together and of course no inscriptions on them. I think it might be intended for a ‘Graveyard Folly’.
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