Graveyard in Ardagh

A subrectangular area (c. 42m NW-SE; c. 23m NE-SW at the SE end; 38m at the NW end) enclosed by a stone wall (T 0.4m). The NW wall (L c. 5m; H 2.5m; Wth 0.92m) has a segmental-arched entrance gate (Wth 1.8m; H 1.8m; T 1m) at its NE end. The graveyard has been extended on the SW side and part of the original SW wall has been removed. The present entrance is through a piered gate, incorporating some dressed stones, in the SW wall. Remains of the medieval parish church of Kilmacallan (SL034-04801-) stand in the centre of the E half of the interior. Headstones date from the 17th century to the present day, the earliest having a date of 1696 (SL034-048010-) (pers. comm. M. B. Timoney). There are numerous low uninscribed grave-markers. According to M. B. Timoney (1999/2000, 40), a graveyard clean-up several architectural pieces (SL034-048004-), including a stone head and several quernstones, some of which are in a pile outside the SE wall of the church. The stone head is carved on a rectangular block of limestone (0.2m x 0.15m x 0.4m). The facial features are badly eroded but the eyes, nose, and mouth are just apparent. A noticable feature is the projecting chin, the underside of which is decorated with a number of shallow radiating grooves. It is probably derived from the church where it may have been a voussoir in an arch. A possible bullaun stone (SL034-048003-) leans against a headstone in the NW sector. Five cross-slabs (SL034-048005-) have also been found within the interior (pers. comm. M. B. Timoney). A field immediately to the SW is known as 'The Friars Field' (M. B. Timoney 1999/2000, 40). 'Tobermoneen' holy well (SL034-045----) is c. 300m to the W. The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Sligo' compiled by Ursula Egan, Elizabeth Byrne, Mary Sleeman with Sheila Ronan and Connie Murphy (Dublin Stationery Office, 2005).