Grave Yard

Occupies elevated ground, immediately S of Ballyhaunis friary church (MA093-063002-). L-shaped area (c. 70m N−S; c. 81m E−W at N; c. 45m E-W at S) bordered at E and S by field fences and a line of trees, and at W by a steep scarp which drops to the entrance avenue to the abbey. The N portion of the graveyard encompasses relatively level ground but the S third slopes steeply down to S. The graveyard is grass-covered, with a network of gravel paths winding through it. There is high density of graves. The majority are marked by inscribed headstones in a variety of styles, including ‘Celtic crosses’, dating to the period 18th to 20th century. Some grave plots are bordered by a low concrete surround, and a few have metal railings. There are a several ledgers in the E part of the graveyard. Interspersed amidst the formal headstones are a few small uninscribed stone gravemarkers, roughly-shaped to the form of a cross, and occasional simple metal crosses. Knox (1911, 334-336) postulated that the graveyard overlies or incorporates earthworks (MA093-063001-) that might pre-date the friary. Attached images: MA093-063004-_01.JPG Graveyard viewed form SE MA093-063004-_02.JPG Simple stone cross gravemarker MA093-063004-_03.JPG Steep S slope of graveyard MA093-063004-_04.JPG Ledgers in the E part of the graveyard Compiled by: Jane O’Shaughnessy Date of upload: 7 December 2022

A local ancient tomb; wider significance not recorded.