Burial ground

The National Monuments Service's description

At a T-junction on a steep SE-facing slope in pasture. Labelled ‘Grave Yard’ on the OS 25-inch plan (1897) and Cassini edition (1920) of the OS 6-inch map. Listed as ‘Graveyard’ in the RMP (1996). Because there is no associated church, the site is classified as a burial ground. This partly overgrown sub-triangular area (L c. 125m ENE-WSW; Wth 65m NNW-SSE) is defined by a modern mortared stone wall with a gateway at SSW. Most of the graves are modern, but there are also some collapsed and unmarked grave-markers. There is a holy well (CL014-021002-; NIAH reg. no. 20401406) at the S end of the burial ground, against the wall inside the entrance. To the SW of the holy well is a small building (locked), and to the NE are steps up to the burial ground’s centre. Immediately to the E of the holy well is a small bush-lined circular enclosure containing two statues: of Mary and St Bridget. Two streams flow through the burial ground: one running SE through the W half and feeding the holy well, and the other meandering SSE through the centre. Approximately 35m to the SSW of the burial ground is O’Brien’s Monument (NIAH reg. no. 20401402), a large neo-classical pillar with an urn at the top. Archaeological testing in 2003 (excavation license no. 03E1040) immediately to the E of the burial ground uncovered nothing of archaeological significance (Connolly 2006).

 

Compiled by: Gearóid Conroy and Conn Herriott

 

Date of upload: 7-10-2025

References

Connolly, E. 2006 Ballysteen, Liscannor, Clare. In I. Bennett (ed.), Excavations 2003: summary accounts of archaeological excavations in Ireland, 31, no. 129. Bray. Wordwell.