Graveyard

The National Monuments Service's description

On top of a hill, overlooking entrance to Cork Harbour to SE, approached by roadway from W, 1Km SE of Crosshaven. Irregular-shaped graveyard (c. 80m E-W; c. 90m N-S) enclosed by stone wall to W (L c. 70m) and to S for short section on E side of gateway; substantial earthen bank (H 1.2m) elsewhere. Many low uninscribed gravemarkers; earliest inscribed headstone noted dates to 1711. According to O Murchadha (1967, 45-7) at least another 40 18th century headstones. Near S end, roofless ruins of C of I church of St. Matthew (CO099-03001-), 'erected in 1778, near the site of a former church' (Lewis 1837, vol. 2, 601), according to O Murchadha (ibid, 44) 'walls of the old Teampall Bríde demolished to make way for the new church'. This was ancient parish church of Templebreedy which was in ruins by 1615 (Brady 1867, vol. 1, 327) and described in 1700 as 'built with stone and clay, the walls are standing, but uncovered' (Lunham 1909, 170).

The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Cork. Volume 2: East and South Cork' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1994). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research.

Date of upload/revision: 14 January 2009