Graveyard

The National Monuments Service's description

Post-1700 graveyard which was built inside the E end of the Lady Chapel of the 13th century Augustinian Abbey (KD023-016----). In 1781 a drawing of the E gable of Lady Chapel and the Augustinian abbey shows that at this time the area was not being used as a graveyard by the local people (NLI Coo 2122 TX (1) 3). The E gable of the chapel forms the E boundary of the post-1700 graveyard. The N wall of the abbey forms the N boundary of the graveyard while the S wall of the abbey represents the S boundary of the burial ground. The N face of the S wall of the graveyard has evidence of vaulted arcading belonging to the 13th century abbey. The W wall of the graveyard with its round-arched gateway appears to be the only section of post-1700 boundary wall. The graveyard consists of a small rectangular-shaped area (c. 27m E-W; c. 17m N-S) enclosed by a stone wall entered through a post-1700 round-headed gateway in the W wall. The enclosed area is higher than surrounding ground level. Table tombs, graveslab and headstones date from the 18th century onwards.
(http://www.kildarearchsoc.ie/great-connell-graveyard/ Last accessed 24-05-2012)

Compiled by: Gearóid Conroy

Revised by: Caimin O'Brien

Date of revised upload: 23 April 2019

References

NLI Coo 2122 TX (1) 3, National Library of Ireland, West view of the Abbey Church at Great Connell, Co. Kildare, Ireland, showing fragmentary arches and part of the clerestory at the western end, and a distant view of the tracery-less east window in the distance on the left. Drawing by Austin Copper dated July 7th, 1781, from Antiquities of Abbeys, Castles & c. in Ireland, Vol. 1, Dublin.