Grave Yard

In pasture, in centre of early ecclesiastical enclosure (13876). Oval graveyard (c. 50m NW-SE; c. 40m NE-SW) enclosed by earthen bank (int. H 1.2m; ext. H 1.4m) W->NNE, with external fosse (D 0.65m) and by stone wall elsewhere. Probably formed 'an additional original internal division of the [early ecclesiastical] site' (Hurley 1983, 61). Site of Kilmacoo church (14398) in centre. Still in use though much of it overgrown; numerous 18th/19th-century headstones and uninscribed grave-markers noted. At N side of graveyard, walled and railed plot is probably grave of landlord Sankey who died in England but expressed a wish to be buried here (Bowman 1934, 394); Entrance gateway to SSE; passage-way extends SSE to main road, repaired by Cork Co. Council in August 1932 and resurfaced with stones from fulacht fiadh (10383) (ibid.). According to local tradition, drums heard in vicinity when someone from locality dies (MacCarthaigh 1975, 54). The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Cork. Volume 4: North Cork' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 2000). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload/revision: 14 January 2009

Early medieval ecclesiastical graveyard, likely 7th–10th century. Associated with a monastic enclosure, indicating a significant religious and community site in the pre-Norman landscape.