County Carlow
Journals of the Memorials of the Dead
CLONEGALD


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The following details have been transcribed from the Journals titled, "Journal for the Memorials of the Dead"  which can be found at County Carlow Library, Tullow Street, Carlow, Co Carlow IRELAND.

Clonegal Churchyard.

[Kindly contributed by Herbert Robertson, Esq., M.P., of Hundingdon Castle, Clonegal.]

     'The following inscriptions are from the Churchyard of Clonegal, of which we append a sketch and an account recently published'

     "The Church of Clonegal was originally founded in the time of St. Patrick, on a dum or mound which had formed the base of a small fortress, and was surrounded by a deep fosse enclosed by a rath, and had formerly been the residence of some ancient chieftain.
     "At the present day the rath, plainly visible and planted with Scotch firs, forms the boundary of the churchyard, which consists of the sloping sides of the dun and the site of the fosse, out of which, in 1902, at a depth of about ten feet below the present surface, an ancient quern or hand-cornmill (now in vestry of the church) was taken on digging the grave surrounded by the loft monument on the right of the picture.
     "The first Rector was St. Fiac, who was ordained by St. Patrick as one of the first Bishops of the Irish Church.
     "The parish is of special interest from being situated in the mountainous district uniting the Wicklow Mountains and the Leinster range, which divides the plains of Carlow from the plains

JPMD, Vol VI, Issue 1904 -05 - 1906, CARLOW, Page 192.

.

PLAN AND SKETCH OF CLONEGAL CHURCHYARD, COUNTY CARLOW.

of Wexford, and forms one of the passes into Wexford.  It was for centuries debatable ground, and for this reason remained, until Queen Elizabeth's reign, under the control of native chieftains."
     'The south side of the church, throughout its entire length, naturally contains the greater number of tombs.  All the monuments are of the eighteenth century, except one which is of the seventeenth century, and two in the extreme south-western corner which are of the first tow decades of the nineteenth century, and some additions made to eighteenth-century monuments.  Every monument is therefore here recorder.
'In the south-eastern corner, that is, east of the chancel, beginning at the extreme south-east, and working in rows from south to north, are the following monuments'


   
  'Row 1. ― Upright red stone':―


I H S

Here lieth the Body of Patrick I Whelan who depd this
life Decr I the 2nd 1806 aged 28 years  Lord I have
Mercy on his soul   Amen.

     'Row 2. ― An upright red stone' : ―


I H S

This Stone was erected by James I White of Doonane
where Lieth his I Father and Mother John White and I
Catherine White and also Anne I White wife of said
James deceased I June 21 1777 aged 36 years I Also
two of said Jamess children I Margt and Mary.

     'It appears to have been erected on the death of James White's wife in 1777.'

______

     'Beyond is an upright slab, bearing nothing but a deeply incised cross.'

______

     Row 3. – On an upright stone':– 

[Doran] Here lyeth the I Body of Denis Do I ran deceased I May
2d 1784 I aged 44 years I Lord have mercy I on his soul.

    ______

 'On an upright stone':
Here lies the Body I of John Doyle dep I this life Nov
the 11 I 1796     Aged 68 years.
.
JPMD, Vol VI, Issue 1904 -05 - 1906, CARLOW, Page 193.
.
     'Row 5.―On an upright stone':― 


I H S

Here lieth the Body of I Mary Murphey Decd March I
23 1788     Aged 70 years I Resq in pace     Amen

______

..
     'A flat stone' :
Here lyeth the Body of I James Kennedy Who Dec I
July 7 1771     Aged 20 I years     Lord Have Mercy on I
his soul.

______

.
     Row 6.―On a flat stone' :―
Here lies the Body of Thomas Bayl of I Leany who
depd this life Febrry the 29th I 1791     Aged 81 Years I
also his wife Mary Bayl who depd Decbr the I 11th 1796
aged 82 years.
     'At foot is the sculptor's nameO. DOYLE.'

______

.
     'On an upright tombstone' :
Here lyethe the Bo I dy of John Byrne I who departed
Jan I uary 3rd 1781     aged 60 I years     Lord have I
Mercy on his Soul.

______

.
     'An upright granite' :
HERE LIES YE BODY I OF IOHN KEHOE & I SONS GE . .
MILY I PAT & IOHN WHO I DEPARTED THIS I LIFE APRILL YE
7TH I 1744     AGED 25YRS
     'The widow evidently thought it a good opportunity to record the names of her four sons, who must have all have been babies.'
______
.
     'South-east corner.―Flat stone, ornamental heading, I.H.S. and cross in a circular border, with a sand glass on east side' :―
Here lyeth The Body I of Bryan Hearon Who I Deceased
The 9 of I January 1770     Aged 70 I years     Also ye
Body of I Mary Hearon who De I ceased ye 10th of
August I 1780.  Aged 17 years I Lord have mercy on
Their I soules.
     'The figure 7 in the age 17 is crooked, as shown above.'

______

.
     'On an upright stone' :―
Mathew Bryan died ye I 3 of July 1780     aged 22 I
years     Lord have mercy I on his soul.
JPMD, Vol VI, Issue 1904 -05 - 1906, CARLOW, Page 194.
.
     'The centre block (due south of the church) may be divided into three blocks:― 1st, those on the edge of the rath and in the fosse ; and 2ndly, those on the slope of the dun ; and 3rdly, those on the top of the dun (on the level of the church).  Each may be described in this order, beginning in each case from the south-east corner, and travelling from south to north, up the various rows of monuments.
     'There are in all about eleven rows of monuments ; and if each grave had a monument, there would be eleven in each row.
     Row 1.―'The first tomb is thought to have the oldest legible inscription in the churchyard, and is quite easy to read, which is remarkable, as it is a common Lower Silurian flagstone.  All the letters are in capitals, the "W" of "Who" being upside down as shown.  It reads thus' :―
HERE LYETH THE BODYS I OF BENIEMEN AND I AN BRADLEY
MHO I DIED THE 10 OF NOVE I MBER 1692.
______
.
     'Row 2.― After an illegible granite upright.
     'On a very large, flat stone, broken across near the end of the inscription' :―
Here lieth the body of John Donohoe late of I Coppeny
who depd this life May the 1st 1798 I Aged 75 yrs.  The
Lord have mercy on his Soul I This Stone is erected by
his son John Donohoe in I memory of him
______
.
     'Behind these two, and not in range, is an upright granite' :
HERE LYETH YE BODY OF I MARY BYRNE DECEASED N I
[                   ] 1717 AGED 67 YEARS I ALSO YE BODY
OF [                      ]  I  [                 ] 23
     'The rest is illegible.'
     'South side (eastern part).  Upright stone with ornament at the top' :
This stone was erected by I Patrick Donoghue in
memory I of his Father Michael Donoghue I of Rath
who departed this life I Sepr 11 1800 aged 60 years I
also Thomas Donoghue who I departed this life the 28th day
of I October 1817 aged 31 years I also Bridge Donoghue
who I departed this life the 19th day I of July 1819 aged
73 years I May the Lord have mercy on I their Souls.
______
.
     'An illegible granite.'

______

     'Upright granite' :―
HERE LYETH I THE BODY OF I JAMES DOYLE I DECD JUNE 10 I
1773 AGED 61 I YEARS
.
JPMD, Vol VI, Issue 1904 -05 - 1906, CARLOW, Page 195.
.
     'Row 3.―After an illegible upright granite, an upright granite' :


I H S

HERE LIES THE BODY I OF RICHD HEADEN I [WHO] DECD MAY
17 I 1740 AGED 67 YEARS

______

.
     'Upright stone' :
Here lieth the Body of Mary I Connolly alias Hedin
who I Departed this life March the I 10th 1775 aged 64
years.
______
.
     'Granite upright' :

I H S
Here lieth the I Body of Anne I Roche Decd Mar I 4
1778 aged I 60 Reqt in pace
______
.
     'Granite upright' :

I H S
HERE LYETH THE I BODY OF JOHN R I OCHE SON TO
GAR I RET ROCHE OF N I EWSTOWNE DECD MARCH 15TH 1780 I
AGED 6 YRS.
     'The "s" of son is a long 'S."'

     'Two granite uprights illegible, though the first seems to contain the name of Doyle, and the second bears the words "aged" and "years.".

______

.
     'Flagstone upright' :

I H S
Here leith the Body I of Michael Mouran Decd I Septr
5th 1770 aged 57 years
______
.
     Row 4.―'Rough upright near the rath' :―
Here lieth [ye] I Body of Pat I rick Whelan I Deceased
[                     ] I 1717 Agd [       ]
   .
JPMD, Vol VI, Issue 1904 -05 - 1906, CARLOW, Page 196.
.
     'The following flat stone is remarkably executed, the carving of the ornament being very deeply cut' :

I H S
Here lyeth ye body I of Iohn Wadirick Who I Decd Ianvary
2d 1778 I aged 16 years     Lord Ha I ve Mercy on his Sovl
.
     'Flat stone' :
Here lieth the Body of Mary I O'Brian who decd Decmbr
17th I 1785 Aged 21 yrs Lord have mercy I on her soul

______

.
     'Row 5.On the edge of the rath is a remarkably well-cut upright stone, with a carving of the Crucifixion, and an I.H.S. below it' :―
This stone Erected by James I Carty in memory of
his I wife Hannah Carty Alias I Kehoe who Depd this
Life I March 18th 1794 Agd 32 yrs I Lord have Mercy on
her Soul.

______

.
     'There are no more monuments recordable in this row, which meets the the Fox monument on the slope of the dun.'

______

.
     'Row 6.―Upright granite, with ornament' :―
Here lieth the I Body of Bridg I ed Beaghan Decd I
Oct 17th 1784 Aged I 27 Ret in Pace

______

.
     'South side, 3rd to 4th row.―Upright stone granite' :―

I H S
Here lieth the body of Hugh I Doyle who decd Dec 9
178 [sic] I Aged 34 years Lord have mercy I on his soul
"Probably the date intended was 1778.'

______

.
     'Upright stone with handsome carving on the top' :
Erected by Peter Doyle of Tom I garrow in memory of
his Father I Michael Doyle who depd this life I July 22nd
1831  Aged 71 years
______
.
     'A granite upright undeciphered follows.'
.
.JPMD, Vol VI, Issue 1904 -05 - 1906, CARLOW, Page 197.
.
     'An upright flag' :


I H S

Here lyeth the Body I of dorathy Whealan I who de-
parted Agst 15th I 1775  Aged 60 years lord I Have
Mercy on her I Soul
______
.
     'Granite upright' :―


I H S

Here lieth Th I e Body of Mo I rgan Bryan D I ecd
Mar 21 1781 I Aged 44 Rect in I pace
______  
.
'Flat stone' :―


I H S

HERE LIETH I THE BODY OF JO I HN WELCH I WHO DIED
AUGUST I YE 3 1772 I 30 YEARS OF HIS I AEGED
     'The letters in the last word are all quite plain ; a small stroke after the first "E" may mean that it was intended to be struck out, but there is no such indication with regard to the "D."
______
.
     'Row 7.―On an upright stone' :―
I. H. S.
Here lieth the Body of John Cod who I departed this
life February the 3rd 1791 I aged 25 years.  The Lord
have mercy I on his soul amen.
______ 
.
     'On an upright stone' :―

I. H. S.

Here lieth the Body of Edward I Codd who departed
this life I April the 1st 1797  Aged 25 years I The Lord
have mercy on his Soul
______
..
     'Close by is an older flagstone, formerly upright, buy now lying flat; isolated from all connection with any tomb, and broken, inscribed' :―
The Body of Tho I mas Codd
     'Nothing followed this inscription.
     'The "Hea," with which it undoubtedly commences, may have been a misspelling of "Here lies" ; but, as it looks as if more had been written, it may have been part of "Heaven receive," or some such unusual inscription.'
______
.
.JPMD, Vol VI, Issue 1904 -05 - 1906, CARLOW, Page 198 - 199.

Clonegald Church.

(from Mr. Herbert Robertson)

     'Inside the church there are the following monuments and memorials of deceased persons' :

     'Tablet – South side' :
     Robert Atkin Durdin ( of Cranmore House Kildavin) Deputy Governor of Cork & J.P. Co. Carlow died 5 Jany 1841 aged 63 & his wife Eliza   Garde Durdin d 11 February 1852 aged 75 & their 3rd son Charles Garde Durdin, Barrister at Law, who d 5 Jan 1843 aged 29 years &  their grandson Charles Garde Durdin (son of their son Robert Garde Durdin Lord Mayor of Dublin ( 1871-2) died 4 March 1851 aged 4.

______

     'Font'
     Mary Anne Durdin widow of William Leader Durdin of Huntington Castle born 17 May 1801 died 13 April 1883.

______

     'East window'
     Alexander Durdin of Huntington Castle born March 1821 died Jan   7, 1892 & his wife Julian Jones née Hayman b 1823 d Feb 12 1904.

______

     'Tablet erected by the Parishioners – South side’ :
     The Rev George P. Purefooy for many years curate of the Parish d 25 Octr 1859 in the 42nd year of his age.

______

     'Tablet – South side’ :
     Thomas Braddell of Cormelagh b 21 Decr 1807 d 6 Oct 1878 &his wife Anne died 12 Octr 1886.

______

     'Tablet – South side’ :
     Horan son of (the above) Thomas Braddell d Octr 30 1868 aged 21.

JPMD, Vol VIII, Issue 1910 - 1912, CARLOW, Page 495.

Clonegald Church.

     'Window on South side’ :
     John Revell Braddell died 1883 Maria his wife died 1891 their son  George died 1886.

______

     ‘Tablet- North side’ :
      William Astle Hope M.B, T.C.D. 57th Regiment treacherously murdered by Maori rebels at Taranki, New Zealand, on 4 May 1863 in 28th year of his age, 4th son of Ralph James Hope J.P. of Urelands.

______

     ‘Tablet – North side’ :
     John Smith J.P. Park Lodge, Co. Wicklow died 4 Sept 1884 aged 45 years.

______

     'Window – North side' : 
     Erected but the Reverend Treasurer ffrench in memory of his aunt Eleanor daughter of the Rev. J  Metge A.B. & granddaughter of the Rev Chancellor Palmer also of the Rev Edward Arthur Tickell formerly Rector of Clonegal.

     Mr Tickle was a direct descendant of Thomas Tickle, the  well-known writer in The Spectator, and friend of Addison.  On resigning the living of Clonegal he became Vicar of Ulrome, Yorkshire, and died 2nd August, 1897. See Burke’s "Landed Gentry," Tickell of Carnalway.

JPMD, Vol VIII, Issue 1910 - 1912, CARLOW, Page 496.

For the original formatting:- refer to the published volumes of the "Journal for the Memorials of the Dead".  

CLONEGAL PARISH

I H S [Royal Oak.]
 
Here Lieth the Body of | Daniel Whelan who depd this | life March 6th 1987 agd 40 yrs
______

'Rough flag':― Here lieth the Body of James | Nowlan deceased Febr 1st 1762 | age 20 years Lord have Mercy on | his Soul  Amen
______

'Row 9.―Granite upright, with ornament":―
Here lieth the Body of | David Dagg who depd | this life August 12th 1702 | Aged 94 years  Also his | wife Frances Dagg who | Departed this life April 2 | 1752 aged 84 years
'The date 1702 is quite clear.  The date give as 1752 may possibly be 1732
______

Upright granite stone with ornament.'
Erected by Patrick Ryan in memy | of his Father Gregory Ryan who | Depd this life June ye 16th 1786 agd 71 years  Lord have mercy on his | Soul
______

'Row 11.―Adjoining the path up to the Church door.  Flat stone (corner broken off) raised on four supports:―
Here lieth the Body of Mr John Relph | late of Kilcarry who departed this life 28 January 1800 aged 106 years  Also his | son John Relph who departed this life 17 | May 1803 aged 53 years.
______

'Flat flagstone'―
Here lyeth the Remains of Mrs | Frances Coe First wife of Mr | Richard Coe.  She departed this | Life the 1st day of April 1740 in 32nd | year of her age  Also the Body of | Richard Coe who departed | this life the 19th of January 1779 | aged 80 years.
______

'On the slope of the dun, in rows which are ony approximately in continuation of the rows in the fosse, although the same numbers are here used on the following monument.
'Row 1.―A flat stone, of which the left half is entirely obliterated, the rest reading thus, all in capitals':―

I.H.S.
.  .  .  .  THE BOY OF
.  .  .  . NY WHO DEPAR
.  .  .  .    DAY OF
.  .  .  . YEAR OF HIS
.  .  .  .  LYETH THE
.  .  .  . S KENNY
.  .  .  . THE ELDER
.  .  .  PARTED THIS LIFE
.  .  .  .  .  NOVEMBER
.  .  .  LORD 1744
.  .  .   OF HIS AGE
______

'Row 2.―Upright red stone, with ornament':―
Erected by Silvester Hayes in | memory of his father Michael | Hayes who depd this life Decr | the 5th 1813 aged 74 years  Also | His mother mary Hayes | who depd | this life Decr 1st 1816 | aged 73 years.  May they rest in peace  Amen
______

'Row 3.―On an upright stone, carved with the Crucifixion and two soldiers':―
I H S
Here Lieth the Body | of Mary Doyle Alias | Mahon
Who departed | this Life ye 10 Day of June | 1784 Aged 60 years | Lord have mercy on her
'The stone is boldly executed, but somewhat rough.  The foremost leg of the soldier on the left is wrongly bent; and the bottom of the cross is not outlined; and all the lettering is continuous."
______ 

'Row 5.―Granite upright; all lettering continuous'―
HERE LYETH THE | BODY OF DENI | SH FOX DECD JA | N 17 1789  AGED | 81 yEARS.

'There is nothing to indicate whether the Christian name was Danish of Denis H.'

'Granite upright'―
Here lyeth the Body | of Moriss Doyle | Deceased August III | 1779 Age 71 yrs | Also three of his sons | Morgan Matthew | E D
"E D were probably the initials of a member of the Doyle family who erected the headstone.'

'Over the grave to which the last-mentioned headstone refers is a flat stone carved with the Crucifixion, accompanied by the two thieves on a cross on either side'_
Here lyeth ye body of Peter

'Row 6.―Upright flag'―
Here lieth the Body of Mary | Nowlan  Alias Hues who | Depd this life Decber 12 1787 | Aged 44 yrs the lord have | Mercy on her soul  amen

'Row 7.―A granite upright, almost buried in the ground, which may be legible.  Has not yet been examined.'
______

'Row 8.―No stones legible.'
______

'Row 9.―Upright flag, pressed forward by an adjoining tomb and almost touching the base of the old Irish cross'―
______


I.H.S.
Here lieth the Body of | Peter Riley decd April 11th | 1786  Aged 47 years  Also | Matw Riley age 20 yrs | Reqt in Pace  Amen.
______

'Row 10. ―An upright stone, surmounted by an elaborate device, almost obliterated, under which is inscribed "Gloria in excelsis Deo"' ―
Erected by Eleanor Germaine in | memory of her husband Philip Germaine | late of Lisnuvagh who departed this life | Janry 30 1819  Aged 66 years | May he rest in Peace  Amen.

JMPD, Vol VI, Issue 1904-05, CARLOW, Pages 200 - 202.

'On the grave to which the last upright relates, is a flat stone bearing the following inscription': ― 
He lieth the body of Thomas Germai | ne who departed this life July 25th 1793 Aged |76 years May he rest in pace Amen
______

'An upright flagstone': ―
Here lies ye body of Dani | el Hues who departed this life December 23 1773 | Aged 23 yrs Requiescat in Pace Amen
______

'Row 11. ―Upright stone":―
Here lies ye bodi of John | Donoghue Dept Aprill 7th | 1787 Aged 79 years | Reqct in pace
______

'Upright flagstone': ―
[Handsome ornament.]
Erected by James Fitzgerald of Bal| lenastraw in memory of his Father | Thomas Fitzgerald who depd this | life Sepr the 10th 1811 Aged 54 years.
'The 4 of 54 is inscribed in the reverse way.'
______

'Another row occurs, which also is a continuation of row 10, containing the following monuments.'
______

'AN upright granite on which all that is now readable is': ―
Here lyeth the Body | --- Blake Decr | --- 1746 --- 
'Though further attention might disclose more.'
______ 

'Flat stone inscribed': ― 
HERE . LIETH . THE BODY . | OF . WILLIAM . LEWIS . WHO | DIED . JULYY . THE .13TH 1732 | AGED . 60 . YEAR. HERE . ALSO . LYETH. THE . | BODY . OF . JANE . LEWIS | WIFE. TO . THE . ABOVE . WHO . DEPAR | TED THIS LIFE [      ]D [      ] | [      ]                 | LORD . HAVE . MERCY . ON . HIS . SOUL.
______ 

'A flat stone moved, as it stretched over the adjoining footpath': ―
Here lies the Body of William Byrne of | Balysthonogue Depd May 20 1777 Aged 56 | YRS  Also his wife Onor Byrne their Dau | ghter Catherine Byrne Depd July 6th 1785 Agd | 37 years and their son Danl Byrne Depd | Feb 10th 1788 aged 26 years                

JMPD, Vol VI, Issue 1904-05, CARLOW, Pages 200 - 203.

'An upright flagstone, probably also moved':―

I.H.S.
John Tumpin  Died
| June the 29th 1736 | Aged 70 years | Lord have Mercy | on His Soul
______ 

'On the top of the dun that is on the level of the church, there is room for rive rows (corresponding with the rows in the fosse referred to below), and each could contain three graves.'

'Row 5.―On an upright stone, of which the entire top is panelled, with a picture also panelled in the centre, evidently representing a man facing to the left, of which the legs alone now remain, and which Ryan in his "History of County Carlow," calls the presentation of a soldier "with a gun on his shoulder," bearing the inscription':―
Here lieth the | Body of the ~ | Spirited Volun | teer Henry | Browne Depd the | 14th May 1784 Agd 26 years ~
'The first "i" of "Spirited" was written "e" but a straight line through it corrects it to an "i."
'The flat stone in the same row bears no inscription.'
______ 

'Row 7.―A flat stone broken':―
Here lieth the Body of Michael | Clarke who departed this life Jane the 8th | 1807 aged 72 years | Also the Body of Honor Clarke | wife to the above Michael Clarke | who departed this life the 6th day | of January 1818 Aged 76 years | Also Thomas Clark who depd | this life June 11 1844 aged 81 years
'Recently a handsome upright stone has been added at the head of this flat stone by an American gentleman, related to the family, who was visiting Ireland, with an inscription commencing:― "Of your charity pray for the Soul's repose" of these three persons, of who Thomas is called son of Michael and Honor, of three other sons of theirs William died 1839, John died 1828, and James and of Mrs. Anastasia Clarke who died in 1869 and her son Michael who d. in
'But either by mistake or by way of correction it gives the dates of the deaths of Honor Clarke and Thomas Clarke as both on 19th day of the month.'

'Alongside of the last stone is a flat stone engraved in very large, antique type":―
HERE :
LIETH : THE : BODY : OF :
MR : LARENCE : BATERTON :
JUNIAR : WHO : DYED :
DESEMBER : THE : 12TH : DAY :
1719 : AND : IN : THE: 19TH
YEAR : OF : HIS : AGE
______ 

'Row 8.―A flat stone':―

I H S
HERE LIETH THE BODY | OF THOMAS CODD WHO | DECEASED THE 24 D | [AY OF] DECEMBER 1744 | AGED 31 YEARS
______ 

JMPD, Vol VI, Issue 1904-05, CARLOW, Pages 204 - 205.

 

For the original formatting:- refer to the published volumes of the "Journal for the Memorials of the Dead".  

'Row 9.―Flat stone':―
Here lieth the Body  of Mrs Elizabeth | Boyle who departed this life the 5th | day of Octr 1771 aged 39 years | Also here lieth the body of George | Boyle Esquire who departed | this life January the 2nd in the | year of our Lord 1780
______

'Row 10.―A flat stone':―
Here lieth the body of Simon Lacey Dept | this life July the 2nd 1760 aged 68 | Also his wife Margery Lacy Depd the | life Nov the 20 1780 Aged 74 years | And also the body of Robert Lacy son to | the above Simon & Margery Lacy who depd | this life the 12th Augst 1801 aged 73 years | And also the body of Mary Corbet | daughter to the above Simon & Margery | Lacy who departed this life May [     ] 1803 | aged 80 years.  Here also lieth the Body of | Robert Lacy Grandson of the above | Robert Lacy who departed this life the | 1st of Decr. 1804 aged 7 weeks | and here also lieth the body of Mary | Lacy wife of Robert Lacy who departed | this life the 6th of March 1811 aged 80 years

JMPD, Vol VI, Issue 1904-05, CARLOW, Pages 204 - 205.

'Leaving the central portion of the south side, and crossing the path up to the church, we come to the south-west corner, and beginning at the southern end, find the following monuments':―

To
The Memory of Edward Dobbs
Late
Sergeant Major
of the
Kildare Regiment of Militia
who died at Enniscorthy
on the 
30th day of October 1815
aged 36 years
This stone
is erected
By the Officers
and 
Non Commissioned officers
Of the Regiment
In teftimony of their appreciation
Of his conduct
During a Period of
16 Years Service
______

'Adjoining the last-mention Dobbs tombstone is an upright stone with an ornamental heading resembling that of the Cummins stone, of which a copy is sent, but not so elaborate, and the inscription':―
Erected by Bridget Dobbs in | Memory of her husband George | Dobbs who Depd this life the 23rd | of March 1811 aged 40 years | Lord have Mercy on his soul
______ 

'On a flat stone raised on four supports':―
Here lieth the Body of Walter
Cummins who deptd this life Decem
ber 28 1764 aged 73 years. And also
Elizabeth his wife who deptd this life
January 29th 1798 Aged 101 year  And 
also the body of Mr Thomas Cum
=mins who departed this life Decembr
4 1807 aged 81 years Also the body 
of Mathew Cummins son to the above 
Thomas Cummins who dep this life 30
day of Janry 1814 aged 46 years
'At foot of stone after a large space':―
Requiescant in pace  Amen

'It is evident from the mode of inscription that the stone was made on the death of Elizabeth Cummins in 1793, and that the final words were put on at the same time, the intermediate inscriptions being of the dates given.'
______

'Several uninscribed stones follow, and on the slope of the dum is a granite upright bearing the inscription':― 

I H S

Here lieth the | Body of Wm | Redmond dec | Nou 7 1785 aged | 61 Ret in pace
______ 

'In the small portion of the churchyard lying due west of the church, there are no legible monuments of an early date ; but, as it is weathering prematurely, it is desirable to record the existence of a large flat monument, surmounted by a large stone sloping on each side, on one side of which is inscribed':―
MARIA H SWINNY
WIFE OF THE REVD GEORGE S. SWINNY
SOMETIME RECTOR OF CLONEGAL
DIED OCT XXIII
1854
'And on the other side':―
BLESSED ARE THE DEAD
THAT DIE IN THE LORD.
REV XIV. 12
'All the lettering is in capitals.'
______

'And it may be interesting to record with references to a raised flat monument near it bearing the inscription':―
Erected by Eliza Dixon wife to George | Dixon [sic]
Drummin who departed this life | 25 Sept aged 46 in
the year of | our Lord 1850
'that the record refers to the death of Mr. George Dixon of Drummin, Mrs. Eliza Dixon, whose death is grammatically recorded, being still in enjoyment of good health.'
______

'On the north side, on the top of the dun, beginning at the west end, are the following ancient monuments:―
'A flat stone with low supporting walls':―
Here lieth the Remains of William Hopkins | late of
Clonegall who departed this life the 26th | day of October
1809 aged 41 years | Also the remains of his beloved
Wife | Susannah who departed this life on the | first of
November 1811 aged 71 years | Also their third son |
Nicholas Hopkins who died the 11th of June 1856 in
THE [sic} 59th year of his age

JMPD, Vol VI, Issue 1904-05, CARLOW, Pages 206 - 208.

'Flat stone, broken, lying besides the last one':― 
Here lies the Body of Nicholas Hopkins | who departed
this life July the 18 1787 | Also the body of Serah
Hopkins | wife of the Nicholas Hopkins who departed this |
life September the 28th 1802 aged 67 years |  Also Robert
Hopkins who departed this life | May 15th 1839 Agd 77
yrs
'The 15th may be 13th ; the final "s" above the line in "years"
is a long "s."
______

'Flat stone on six supports':―
In memory of | Mary Hopkins of the Grove | died 
24 Decr 1842 | in the twenty third year of her age | 
Also her mother Anne Hopkins | who departed this life
the 6th Novr | 1861 aged 60 years | Also her father Edward
Hopkins | who died 28th February 1867 | Also her
sister Anne Hopkins who | died 3rd of May 1876 aged
54 years | Also her sister Anne Hopkins who | died
Aug 30 1884 aged 57 years
______

'Flat stone also on six supports':―
Mrs Barbara Hopkins late of Drummin | died April 4th
1834 aged 61 years | And Mr Nicholas Hopkins late of 
Drum | min died March 18th 1835 aged 52 years
'The rest of the top of the dun is occupied by the vestry of
the church.'
______

'On the slope of the dun, beginning also from the west, is an upright stone, now partly buried, but quite recently uncovered for a fresh interment of one of the family.  On it there was found, perfectly legible, the following poetical inscription to William Ralph, Woodranger to Henry Tighe, Esq., M.P., of Rosanna, Co. Wicklow sho owned considerable property in the neighbourhood, and whose wife, the authoress of "Psyche" and other poems, had lived at Kilcarry Cottage, close by, but died in 1810, so that the suggestion of Ryan ("History of Co. Carlow") that she composed the inscription is unfounded':―

To the memory of William Ralph of Kilcarry who died on the 21st February 1811 aged 71 years.

Guard of the wood in settled low content
Lived William Ralph, a ramble paid his rent.
A boy in sportive toil he climbed the trees,
A man he loved them rustling in the breeze,
As he grew old, his old companions spread
A broader browner shadow o'er his head,
While those he planted shot on high and made
For many a rook a hospitable shade.
With this one change life gently crept away,
A placid stream it flowed from day to day.
His friends & children loved him as the tear
Well spoke, profusely shed upon his bier.
If he had faults, thous also hast thy share,
Strike thy own breast and feel what lurketh there.
He who sees all shall judge both him and thee :
Repent, for as it falls so lies the tree.
______

'A modern monument to a member of the Hopkins family, and then a large railed enclosure, formerly used by a family of the name of James, follow, and then the vestry is reached.'
______ 

'In the fosse on this side the most striking monument is in the ground formerly used for the members of the family of Rainsford, of Rainsford Lodge, and consists of a huge erection above ground, with a small door, which it is well to explain.
'It was built by Mr. Simmonds, who had married into the Rainsford family, and who died about twenty years ago, in order that he might be buried above ground.
'Within this enclosure are small modern slabs, recording the death of Mary Anne Rainsford (alias Bloxham), born March, 1794, who died 11, July, 1861, and several of her children.
'The Rainsford family has produced several celebrated preachers, including the Rev. Marcus Rainsford, of London, and the Rev. W. S. Rainsford, Rector of St. George's, New York, a contributor to the recent renovation of Clonegal Church.'

JMPD, Vol VI, Issue 1904-05, CARLOW, Pages 208 - 209.

'East of this is a flat stone, inscribed':―
Here lieth the Body of Mr Jonathan Pasley | Who
departed this life October the 4th 1787 | Aged 58 years
Also the body of Mr John | Pasley who Departed this
life February the | 26 1782  Aged 44 years | Also the
Body of Miss Eliza Pasley who | died the 29th of
December 1818 aged 86 years
'In the last of these inscriptions the "s" of Pasley is the long "s."
"All the enclosures and monuments on the north side after this are of modern date.'
______

'In the small portion of the churchyard lying due east of the Church, between lines drawn parallel with the walls of the Church, in the fosse, and close to the edge of the rath, is a large enclosure, marked "Durdin Family," in which there is a flat stone with the following inscriptions on it:―
'Original inscription':―
Here lieth the Body of | John Durdin Esqr | Barrister at law | who died the 3oth March 1817
'Later additions on the same stone recorded to complete the inscription':―
Also the Body of Alexr Durdin Esqr | who departed this life 19th of May 1829 aged 57 years
______

Also the Body of his son Charles Garde | Durdin Esqr
Barrister at Law who died | Jan 5th 1843 aged 29 years
______           

Also on the 1st January 1849 William | Durdin Esqr
A B 7 M D in the 70th year of his age
______

Also Harriott Durdin who died | 21 of March 1872
aged 86
'Other later inscriptions to the Durdin family exist on stones in the same enclosure.  The Durdins resided at Huntingdon Castle in this parish, where the eldest daughter of the late Alexander Durdin (Mrs. Herbert Robertson) still resides.'
______

'Of the Esmondes, who preceded the Durdins at Huntindon Castle, and lived there from its erection in 1625 until 1762, no memorials can now be found in the churchyard, though Ryan, County Carlow, 1833, records the following inscription':―
J.H.S.
HERE : LYETH : INTER'D : THE BODY : OF : MR : JOHN : ESMOND : | WHO : DEPARTED : THIS : LIFE : JUNE : THE : 9 : 1715. | REQVIESCAT : IN PACE : AMEN.

'The other monuments lying east of the Church, between the Durdin enclosure and the chancel of the Church, on the slope of the dun, are so far as legible, as follows':―
'On an upright stone':―

This Stone was erect | ed by John Bryan of Kilcarry | in Memory of his wife | Bridget Bryan who Depd | this life the 11th of Octr 1801 | Aged 72 years  Lord have Mercy | on her Soul  amen
______

'On an upright stone':―
Erected by Lawrence O Neil in memory | of his beloved
wife Elizabeth O Neil | alias Doyle of Ratheengraney
who depd | this life 20 Octr 1818 aged 22 years
______

'On an upright stone':―
This Stone     was erected | By Daniel Oneil of
Raheengrai | ny in Memory of his son Phelim | Oneil
who Depd this life the 1st | OF Sept 1802 aged 5 Yrs
Lord | Have Mercy on his Soul  Amen
______

'On an upright stone':―
Erected by Philip Doyle in | Memory of his mother
cathe | -rine Doyle who Decd the 27th of April 1791 
aged 60 Years | Lord have mercy on her Soul
______

'On an upright slab, of which the upper half has flaked off, 
which was evidently a monument to a Mr. Roche and his wife and 
daughter, erected on the death of the wife in 1796':―
the 2, [day of] Jan 1790 aged [   ] | Also his wife 
Bridget Roche | Alias Doyle who Decd Jan 30th | 1796
Aged 57 yrs and their | Daughter Bridget Decr ye 19th | 
1795  Aged 24 years
'At foot'―
Requiescant in pace.
______

'On an upright stone':―
Here lies the Body of Margaret | Browne who Departed
this | life February the 3rd 1780 Aged | 68 years
______ 

'An upright granite stone in the south-western corner of this eastern plot, shaped into more that a half circle at the top, reads thus':―

I H S

Here lyeth the | Body of Darby Do | yle D     | 
1781 Aged | 77 years
______

'This list cannot, of course, be taken as a complete proof that there are no other legible inscriptions of ancient date in the churchyard, as some may still be buried deep underground, and others, which have not been deciphered, may, when a clue is obtained, be found readable; although not found legible now, notwithstanding the rubbing and cleaning they have undergone, they may, some time hence, become easily readable through the actual though deferred result of such treatment and the subsequent action of the weather.

'One omission is know to occur―namely, a granite upright, inscribed':―
HERE LYETH THE | BODY OF ELIZA | BETH NEIL DECD
SEPTEMBER [    ] | [        ] | YEAR

'It was transcribed; but on taking the list to get the inscriptions in order, it was overlooked, and so cannot be located.  It is probably among the numerous headstones on the south side ; but it could not be now located without minutely examining about 200 old tombstones.'   

JMPD, Vol VI, Issue 1904-05, CARLOW, Pages 210 - 211.

I have endeavoured to be as accurate as possible in transcribing the information from the various sources however it is possible that errors may have occurred. Data should be verified against original copies and sources.

 

 

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