Graveyard

The National Monuments Service's description

On elevated grassland overlooking Dromkeen House and castle (LI024-003----) 170m to NE. L-shaped area (41m N-S; 22m E-W) enclosed by rubble stone wall (H 1.2m at W; H 1.6m at S) of post 1700 date with entrance gate, stone stile and coffin stand at E end of N wall. Ruins of the medieval church (LI024-001001-) of Dromkeen stands immediately S of graveyard wall with 19th century C. of I. church 20m to S. The present stone boundary wall of the graveyard was probably constructed in the 19th century when the graveyard was extended to the S in order to accomodate the construction of the C. of I. church. The earlier graveyard consisted of a rectangular-shaped area (24m N-S; 14m E-W) defined by a scarp which is visible along E and S side of graveyard. The majority of post-1700 memorials are found inside this rectangular-shaped area. Ruins of C of I church stand in S quadrant of graveyard in an area with very few burials. This church, designed by James Pain (Lee 2005, 161) is described by Lewis (1837, vol. 1, 506) as 'a neat cruciform structure, with an octagonal tower embattled and crowned with pinnacles, erected by a gift of £900 from the late Board of First Fruits, in 1831.' Medieval cross-slab (LI024-001003-) set into top of W wall of medieval church. Architectural fragments of church have been reused as gravemarkers.

Compiled by: Denis Power

Revised by: Caimin O'Brien

Date of revised upload: 18 January 2019

References

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

Lee, D 2005 James Pain Architect, Limerick Civic Trust, Limerick