What is recorded here

Half-buried in the graveyard of Coghlanstown West, a square granite font still holds water for ceremonies no one remembers naming. A broken cross shaft rises through its basin like a bone forcing through skin, packing stones wedged around the joint to keep it standing. The church doorway beside it has long since closed, yet the font remains open, waiting for hands that may never return.

In a church (KD029-005001-), in a graveyard (KD029-005004-), in the SW sector of a possible Early Ecclesiastical Enclosure (KD029-005002-). According to Fitzgerald (1912-14, 307-8), ‘The head of a rude, square font, pierced in the middle, lies sunk in the ground near the recess; it is formed out of a rough block of granite, about 2 feet square.’ The ‘recess’ referred to is the blocked doorway in the S wall of the church. Although larger than that recorded by Fitzgerald, a plain almost square block (L 0.59m; Wth 0.56m) with a large square basin, sunk into the ground in the doorway, has had portion of the shaft of a 17th-century memorial cross (KD029-005006-) inserted into it, held in place by small packing stones. Compiled by: Gearóid Conroy Date of upload: 27 August 2013

The monument record does not grant public access. Check the route and ask the landowner before entering private land.