Graveyard

The National Monuments Service's description

In the SW quadrant of ecclesiastical enclosure (CL015-059001-), on the steep S-facing slopes of Knockatemple, a long ridge orientated NE-SW parallel to the Dealagh River estuary. The site is overlooked by higher ground to the N, with panoramic views to the S and W, and is bordered to the NW and NE by minor roads.

Indicated and labelled ‘Killaspuglonane Burial Gd’ and ‘Killaspuglonane Graveyard’ the on the 1840 and 1916 OS 6-inch maps. The former shows a dashed line around the site, while the latter depicts the current quadrilateral enclosure. The church (CL015-059002-) was in use as a parish church in the later medieval period (Ní Ghabhláin 1996, 40) and the remains of the building were dismantled to build graveyard wall in the 1830s (Swinfen 1992, 48). Swan noted the presence of dressed stone in wall that probably derived from the church (Swan 1987, 161-2).

A wedge-shaped graveyard (55m NE-SW; 27m NW-SE) enclosed by a mortared stone wall (H 1.1m). A gate and stile at the N perimeter give access. The interior is filled with graves, largely 19th and 20th century headstones. The ground in interior of the graveyard slopes sharply down to the S and the graves are concentrated on the area of higher ground. The site of the church (CL015-059002-) is c. 30m SE of the graveyard.

The following image has been uploaded:
CL015-059003-_01 View of graveyard from NE

References:
Swan, L 1987 A carved stone head from Killaspuglonane, Co. Clare. In Rynne, E. (ed.) Figures from the past: studies on figurative art in Christian Ireland, 159-67. Glendale Press. Dublin.
Ní Ghabhláin, S. 1996 The origin of medieval parishes in Gaelic Ireland. The evidence from Kilfenora. Journal of the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland 126, 37-61.

Compiled by: Mary Tunney and Eve Campbell

Date of upload: 11 July 2023

References

Large, S. 2011 A church and graveyard survey in County Clare. Database and photographic record. Clare County Council. Clare Heritage Forum. The Heritage Council.