Graveyard

The National Monuments Service's description

On a N-facing slope in Kilfenora Village. A graveyard around Kilfenora C of I church (CL016-015004-) and cathedral (CL016-015002-), slightly trapezoidal in plan (67m E-W; 30m N-S at E; 26.5m N-S at W), with a roughly coursed rubble wall (H 1.5-1.95m; Wth 0.5-0.64m) all around. Some very large stones are evident at the base of the wall externally at E. There are two entrance gateways, one in the middle of the W wall and one at the SE corner. The W gateway is more elaborate and has a pointed arch door (Wth 1.43m; H 2.13m) opening through a rectangular structure (overall Wth 2.83m). The doorway is of well-cut stones with both internal and external chamfers. The smaller door in the S end of the E wall is flat-headed and lintelled (H 1.67m; Wth 0.85m). It has straight ingoings and a drawbar socket at the N side. It occupies a small projection in the SE corner. The graveyard is described by Rogers (2002, 9) as ‘small, tightly packed with burials and has been in use for at least 900 years and possibly more’. High crosses that once stood in the graveyard were moved c. 2005 into the Lady Chapel of the cathedral to ensure their preservation.

The following images have been uploaded:
CL016-015003-_01.jpg E wall of graveyard from SE.
CL016-015003-_02.jpg View across graveyard from ESE.
CL016-015003-_03.jpg W gateway exterior.
CL016-015003-_04.jpg SE doorway exterior.

Compiled by: Mary Tunney

Date of upload: 29 August 2018

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.

Rogers, T. (2002) Report on the results of archaeological test trenching at Kilfenora Cathedral, Co. Clare on behalf of Paul Arnold Architects. September 2002. Licence no. 02E0334 (ext.).