Graveyard

The National Monuments Service's description

In 1837 Kilnananima graveyard was described as, 'at Ardnagrath are the ruins of Desmond's chapel, with a burial ground attached, now called Kilnananima, here were interred the remains of "the Great" Earl of Desmond who was slain in 1583' (Lewis 1837, 107). Graveyard described in 1841 as 'a burial ground in the N. end called 'Kilnananima' and a little to the E. of it the ruins of an old castle [KE040-107----] called 'Ardnacraga'. 'Tobernafune' [KE040-105----] is also in the N. end' (OSL). Kilnananima Church and graveyard surveyed by Headland Archaeology Ltd. in 2011 and described as follows; 'The graveyard is located on the crest of a hillock and is sheltered from the main prevailing winds by the surrounding higher ground. Its position on the crest of a hillock affords the graveyard extensive views to the west. The hillock also overlooks the village of Cordal as well as a tributary of the Cordal Stream to the south. The church ruins [KE040-106----] survive in poor condition, being extensively overgrown and having been impacted upon by the construction of tombs. Within the central area of the graveyard are the ruins of a church. The boundary walls surrounding the graveyard consist of roughly dressed coursed rubble limestone with roughly dressed limestone coping. Dressed limestone piers flank the entrance and are surmounted with dressed limestone capping. The primary entrance consists of a pair of dressed limestone block square‐profile piers surmounted by roughly dressed flagstone capping, which support a single‐leaf wrought‐iron gate. The second method of entry consists of a historic stile which is located immediately to the south of the main entrance and comprises of projecting flagstones protruding from the wall in the east elevation, forming steps to provide access over the wall. A large dressed limestone slab forms a level stable surface at the coping level' (Hanbidge 2011, 6-7).

Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien

Date of upload: 22 April 2022

References

Hanbidge, R. 2011 Archaeological Survey of Kilnanima, Cordal, County Kerry. Unpublished report by Headland Archaeology Ltd. for Kerry County Council.

Lewis, S. 1837 A topographical dictionary of Ireland, 2 vols. London. Lewis and Co.

OSL - Ordnance Survey Letters. Letters written by members of the Ordnance Survey's 'Topographical Department' (T. O'Conor, A. O'Curry, E. Curry, J. O'Donovan and P. O'Keeffe) sent to headquarters from the field (1834-41). MSS in Royal Irish Academy.