Graveyard

The National Monuments Service's description

Clonenagh meaning the Ivy meadow was a monastery founded by St. Fintan around 548 (Comerford 1886, vol. 3, 291). His feast day was celebrated on the 17th of February (Comerford 1883-86, vol. 3, 291). St Fintans Well (LA017-003003-) and Holy Tree (LA017-003004-) located to the S of the graveyard. Low motte or possible ringwork (LA017-003009-) located across the road to the S . A second burial ground with possible church site (LA017-003023) that was known in the 19th century as St Bridget's graveyard (LA017-003008-) is located across the road to the S with a second graveyard (LA017-003002-) and church (LA017-003001-) located across the main road to the S. Archdall writing in 1786 states that 'Clonenagh is now a Parish Church of the Diocese of Leighlin. The adjoining graveyard (LA017-003002-) is used as a place of interment chiefly of Protestants; on the opposite side of the road is another cemetery in which Catholics are exclusively interred' (Comerford 1886, vol. 3, 298). Reference to monastery (L. c. 40 feet, W c. 18 ft. T.C. 3 ft) here (O'Byrne 1856, 55, 56). In an elevated area within graveyard. Graveyard contains fourteen inscribed early Christian cross-slabs and numerous uninscribed grave markers, and a chevron decorated sandstone voussoir from a Romanesque church. All of these have been placed against the inner face of the W wall of the graveyard. Roughly rectangular shaped graveyard (int. dims. 51m N-S; 46m E-W) enclosed by a stone wall containing post 1700 AD memorials.

The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Laois' (Dublin Stationery Office, 1995) compiled by P. David Sweetman, Olive Alcock and Bernie Moran. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research.

Date of upload: 17 December 2007