Memorials in Ramoan Old Graveyard

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

Two decorative memorial / headstones, in a naïve ‘baroque’ manner, one, dated 1784, to Archibald McCambridge, the other dated 1788 to Francis Boyd, both the work of a mason named Alexander McDonnell. The memorials are situated within the now disused Ramoan Old Graveyard, which is located next to the junction of the Novally and Whitepark Roads, roughly half a mile southwest of Ballycastle.

Archibald McCambridge memorial
This memorial is situated roughly at the centre of the graveyard and is set into the a small area of rubble walling, which may have been part of the church which once stood here, and which was in use until 1848. The memorial consists of a tall rectangular inscribed sandstone tablet, flanked by scroll ‘buttresses’. Below this there is a projecting [?limestone] stone ‘cill’ inscribed ‘Memento Mori, with a stone panel beneath this with mouldings of the head and shoulders of a body in a shroud, a skull and cross bones and a bell. Another ‘cill’ below this is inscribed ‘Cutt by Alexr McDonnell’.

Above the main tablet there is believed to be a moulded coat of arms, but as this area is now covered in thick plant growth, this could not be confirmed. The scroll ‘buttresses’ to the side of the tablet may once have been taller.

The inscription on the main tablet is set within a semicircular arch-headed panel with floral moulding to the spandrels. The original inscription reads: ‘Here lieth the body of Archibald McCambridge who departed this life the 15th day of Septr 1784 aged 47 years’. A later inscription below (in lowercase lettering) refers to the burials of his children.

A surround, with cast-iron rails set on low sandstone walling, has been placed around the grave plot below the memorial. This surround probably dates from the later 1800s.

Francis Boyd memorial
This memorial is situated close to the N edge of the graveyard. It is almost identical to that of Archibald McCambridge, however, the main tablet and scrolls are in a lighter stone [?limestone], there is coat of arms and finials above, and the scrolls are taller. As discussed above, however, the McCambridge memorial may have such a heraldic moulding above and its scrolls may once have been as tall as these, but have had their upper halves removed, so it is possible that in terms of design, both memorials were originally identical.

The coat of arms (presumably of the Boyd family) is set within a semicircular-headed tablet with egg and dart-like moulding to the edge. The tablet is topped with a moulded pineapple finial, and flanked by identical finials, with the whole ensemble set on a decorative cornice with more egg and dart-like moulding either side of a moulding of the upper body of an angel.

The scroll ‘buttresses’ are topped with fleur de lisle finials.

The ‘cill’ beneath the main tablet is inscribed ‘Remember to die’ (rather than ‘Memento Mori’), with the ‘cill’ below the lower panel simply inscribed ‘By A:McD’ (rather than ‘Alexander McDonnell’.)

The original inscription to the main tablet reads: ‘Here lieth the body of Francis Boyd of Chatham Hall [Chathamhall, Derrkeighan parish] who departed this life the 3rd day of Jany 1788 aged 66 years’. The later (19th century) inscription below refers to other members of the Boyd family, as well as a William McArthur.

Ramoan Old Graveyard
The graveyard within which these memorials are located, is enclosed by a now largely overgrown rubble wall. It is entered from the W were there is a carriage gateway with rough rubble pillars and a relatively simple wrought-iron gate. To the immediate N side of the gateway there is a ‘stile’ consisting of a short flight of stone steps. The graveyard itself contains numerous headstones dating from the 18th and 19th centuries, although there are believed to be grave plots long predating these. To the west end of the graveyard there once stood a church, originally built in 1506, rebuilt in 1812, and abandoned in 1848. Apart (perhaps) from the area of walling described above, nothing appears to remain of the church.

Historical information

Both these memorials are the work of a local mason by the name of Alexander McDonnell. McDonnell’s work can also be seen in further memorials in the Armoy (C of I) parish graveyard, and at Bonamargy. Several memorials originally within the old Ramoan parish church –and now within the present church- also bear the hallmarks of his ‘naïve baroque’ style and may be attributed to him.

References- Primary sources
1 OS Memoirs, Parish of Ramoan, (1831-39), reprinted in ‘Ordnance Survey memoirs of Ireland…’ ed Angelique Day, Patrick McWilliams and Noirin Dobson (Belfast, QUB, 1994),
2 PRONI OS/6/1/8/1 OS map, Co Antrim, sheet 8 (1832)
3 PRONI OS/6/1/8/2 OS map, Co Antrim, sheet 8 (1856)
5 PRONI VAL/2B/1/28c Second valuation, Ramoan parish (1859)

Secondary sources
1 Brett, C.E.B., ‘Historic Buildings…The Glens of Antrim’ (Belfast, 1971)

Other
references
1 EHS HB05/15/024 First Survey report (18 July 1972)

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

A. Style
B. Proportion
C. Ornamentation
J. Setting
K. Group value

Criteria for listing: historic interest

X. Local Interest
Z. Rarity

Evaluation

Two decorative memorial / headstones, in a naïve ‘baroque’ manner, one, dated 1784, to Archibald McCambridge, the other dated 1788 to Francis Boyd, both the work of a local mason, Alexander McDonnell. Relatively rare examples of mid to later 18th century decorative memorials, still in good condition.