Graveyard

The National Monuments Service's description

Situated atop low rise of ground in undulating countryside with good views in all directions. Early Christian cross-slab (WM038-039----) known locally as the ‘Headache Stone’ 160m to SW and St. Hugh’s holy well (WM040-004----) 210m to SSE. Aodh [Hugh] of Rahugh [Ráith Aodha] reputedly founded a monastery here in the 6th century (Walsh 1957, 288). Roughly oval-shaped graveyard (dims. 50m N-S; 60m WNW-ESE) partially enclosed by post-medieval stone wall with entrance gate at NE and stile to N of entrance. It is in occasional use. Medieval church (WM038-041----) ruins standing in centre of graveyard. The graveyard is enclosed by a post medieval stone wall from NNE-E-S-W-WNW, and from WNW-N-NNE by a low broad earthen bank which may represent the remains of an ecclesiastical enclosure (WM038-041002-) of the monastery founded in the 6th century by Aodh [Hugh] of Rahugh [Ráith Aodha]. A rectangular annexe enclosed by the post-medieval stone wall of the graveyard was added on to the N side of this enclosing bank. In 1896 the graveyard and the ecclesiastical enclosure (WM038-041002-) was described as following; ‘the churchyard is in a state of the most terrible confusion, the tombstones lying two or three deep within a circular cashel [WM038-041002-]’ (Stokes 1896, 331).

WM038-041001-_01.jpg. View of graveyard taken from south looking north.

WM038-041001-_02.jpg. View of entrance gate at north-east with stile to north.

Compiled by: Caimin O’Brien

Date of upload: 4 September 2014

References

Walsh, P. 1957 The Placenames of Westmeath. Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies.

Stokes, Rev. G.T. 1896 St. Hugh of Rahue: his church, his life, and his times. Journal of the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland 6, 325-335.