Graveyard

The National Monuments Service's description

The 'Site of a Monastery' (WM029-009----) was located in the grounds of Twyford House may have been the site of Íseal Chiaráin, or the low place of St. Ciaran of Clonmacnoise (Cox 1969, 6-14; O'Donovan 1851, 824). Bealin High Cross (WM029-008----) was removed from the grounds of Twyford house in the 18th century. Anglo-Norman motte castle (WM029-007----) 315m to NW and possible holy well (WM029-009001-) 100m to N. The S shoreline of Twy Lough lies 480m to NW.
In 1837 the Ordnance Survey recorded that the Bealin High Cross (WM029-008---) was, 'said to have been removed thither from an old graveyard in Twy [ford] by the father of the present Lord Castlemaine [Reverend Richard Handcock]. No trace of this graveyard is now visible, but the cross proves that there was an ancient church there’ (OSL 1837, vol. 1, 68).
There are no surface remains visible of any graveyard in the grounds of Twyford House and the location of this possible medieval graveyard has not been precisely identified. Cox (1969, 6-14) suggested that a portion of the ruins of a monastic building or church were incorporated into the wall of the garden of Twyford House. Cox (1969, 6-14), suggested that the parish church of Ballyloughloe (now Mount Temple WM030-045001-) was situated at Twyford until the fifteenth century.

Compiled by: Alison McQueen, Vera Rahilly and Caimin O'Brien

Date of upload: 29 November 2018

References

O'Donovan, J. (ed. and trans.) 1856 Annals of the kingdom of Ireland, by the four masters, from the earliest period to the year 1616. Dublin. Hodges, Smith and Co.

Cox, L. 1969 Íseal Chiaráin, the low place of St. Ciarán, where was it situated. Journal of the Old Athlone Society 1, 6-14.

O'Donovan J., Ordnance Survey Letters relating to County Dublin,
Royal Irish Academy, Mss. 14 F. 8-9, Dublin.