Burial Ground

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

A private burial ground on the site of an ancient fort enclosed by high wrought iron railings. Railings are ornamentally treated with spiked tops, mounted on low snecked basalt walls with chamfered granite copings; at intervals, taller posts with ball and spike finials and curling wrought iron brackets on short return walls to interior; concrete pad skirting wall to exterior. One entrance, facing north-west, with a pair of gates similar to railings but scrolling finials; granite step; metal plaque fixed to left hand gate inscribed “These railings enclose the private burial ground of James Chaine Esq. MP, late of Cairncastle Lodge, Larne, and of his family and heirs.” At north and south ends of seaward side, square piers of ashlar granite with moulded cornice to weathered capstone. Inside the enclosure and partly hidden from view from immediately outside the railings by the grassy earthen bank of the fort, are four plots surrounded by plain polished plinth walls of pink granite, and similar headstones, laid out in three rows, and inscribed as follows, from left to right, back row: “James Chaine, died 4th May 1885, and Henrietta Chaine, died 21st December 1913”; and “William Chaine, died 3rd May 1937”; middle row: James Chaine, died 22nd November 1910; Christina Chaine died 7th September 1911”; and front row: “Rachel Halley Chaine-Nickson OBE, died 8th December 1972, dearly beloved wife of Augustus Chaine-Nickson OBE, also the said Augustus Chaine-Nickson OBE, died 10th February 1974, both of Balrath, Co Meath”. The graveyard is located within a public park, sited on the edge of a steep precipice overlooking the sea. It is open to view from the park and also forms a conspicuous sight at high level viewed from the promenade below on the seaward side.

Historical information

The park was donated to the town by James Chaine or his family, with the area of the fort retained as a private burial ground for him and his family, his body reputedly buried in an upright position facing out to sea. Chaine, who died in 1885, was instrumental in improving the harbour at Larne, enlisting the help of the railway companies concerned to form the Larne and Stranraer Steamboat Company in 1871. The fort on which the graveyard is sited is a historic monument, SMR: ANT35:19.

Reference - Primary

1. Belfast News-Letter, 9 May 1885, p 5.

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

Not listed

Criteria for listing: historic interest

Not listed

Evaluation

A graveyard of some local interest as its donor was a main benefactor of the town in the 19th century who is commemorated by a listed beacon tower within view of this site (HB06/08/001) and the site itself is an ancient monument, but neither the fabric of the enclosure itself or its memorials are of special architectural interest or merit.