Burial

The National Monuments Service's description

A large quantity of human remains were discovered within the ruins of Timahoe castle (LA018-031006-) and beside the round tower (LA018-031005-). In 1598, 1200 people were killed in the battle between General Harrington and Melaghlen O'Moore (O'Byrne 1856, 39-40).
O'Byrne described the circumstances in which the bones were unearthed as he says 'About thirty-four years ago a young man, by name Foran, with whom I was acquainted, dreamed that three pans of gold lay buried in the floor of the Castle of Timahoe: on the day following the night on which he dreamed he came and digged for the three pans of treasure, and in digging actually found beneath the surface three pans of small bones. This really appears strange, as the pans rested not more than a foot under the surface' (JRSAI V, 1858-9, 106).
In November 1978 human remains were discovered during building works at Timahoe Co Laois (NGR 253560/190220). According to the report received from the Gardaí, thirteen skulls were discovered at a depth of 0.40m below ground level. The remains were reportedly found found on the north side of the Methodist church in the vicinity of the round tower (LA018-031005-). The site was visited by Breandán Ó Riordáin. By the time of Ó Riordáin's visit, the remains had been removed from the excavated area. According to the finders' reports two articulated skeletons had been found in an extended position, one near the northern end of the excavated pit, with the head to the east, and the other at the southern end with the head to the west. A number of skulls and other bones were also noticed between the two articulated skeletons. No grave structures or associated artefacts were found. The remains were all reburied (Cahill & Sikora 2011, Vol. 2, 491).

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.

Compiled by Caimin O'Brien

Date of upload/revision: 5 August 2012

References

Cahill, M. and Sikora, M. (eds) 2011 Breaking ground, finding graves - reports on the excavations of burials by the National Museum of Ireland, 1927-2006, 2 vols. Dublin. Wordwell Ltd. in association with the National Museum of Ireland.

O'Byrne, D. 1856 The history of the Queen's county. John O'Daly. Dublin.