Kilcummin Cemetery

 

Childrens' Tomb

 

Monument with no inscription.

KILLCUMMIN cemetery vocal point in the community

Kilcummin cemetery is an important focal point in the lives of the local community. It is also an important genealogical and archaeological source and provides clues to the understanding of our past. When recording the gravestone inscriptions, measuring the graves and photographing them we follow the guidelines of an archaeologist with meticulous detail, we carry out everything according to the principles of best practice under the guidance of Catherine Cronin. This is a worthwhile and rewarding project which will be of lasting benefit to the parish.

Medieval Church

The ruins of the medieval church just in front of the main entrance is situated possibly on the site of St Cuimmin’s Early Christian monastery see – (“A Guide to Lough Corrib’s Early Monastic Sites” by Anthony Previte). There are a number of ancient stone slabs, box tombs and table tombs placed within and outside the ruin. The slab inscriptions have been exposed under archaeological direction. A special word of thanks to Paul Stewart, Pat Mc Donagh and his Fas team who did the heavy work in removing sod, ivy and briars. Slabs were cleaned with soft brushes and water. (Abrasive materials or wire brushes should never be used). Sandblasting the old slabs is not recommended as it damages and erodes the inscriptions and decorations. When we have recorded the inscriptions we intend covering the slabs again with the sod we removed to protect the stone from the elements.

There are lichens growing on the slabs, tombs and headstones which allow us to monitor pollution and in some cases they may also help the archaeologist to estimate the age of the stone. Many of the slabs and headstones lie at odd angles which is part of the charm of this old area of the cemetery.

The cemetery boundary walls are covered in ivy and are a choice habitat for birds. There are several box and table tombs in this area one of the table tombs lists a number of children. The inscription reads:

O LORD THROUGH THE

INFINITE MERITS OF THY—

HAVE MERCY ON THE SOULS OF

THE UNDERNAMED WHOSE

BODIES REPOSE HERE WAITING THE

RESURRECTION

ERECTED BY EDMOND AND MARGARET

WALSH TO THE MEMORY OF THEIR

DEAR AND BELOVED CHILDREN

MICHAEL AGED 19 YEARS

DAVID        16

BIDELIA      12

PATRICK       6

JOHN              6

PETER PAUL

AND PATT     2

I wonder has anyone information on what caused the deaths of the children?  We are puzzled by another box tomb and so far we haven’t found an inscription. Perhaps some one could assist us and provide information on this strange structure!