Grave yd.

The graveyard belonging to the medieval St. Mary's parish church (WM029-042021-) of Athlone is today enclosed by a stone wall of uncertain date. The E section of the wall incorporates part of the 17th century town wall of Athlone which was adjacent to the east gate of the town. In 1578 a 21 year lease granted to Edmund O Fallon a merchant of Athlone, included the ‘castle in Athlone called the east gate [Dublin Gate], near the church yard of the parish church (WM029-042021-), and a parcel of land adjoining the said castle, lying in breadth from the east towards the market place of the town 60 feet [18m], and in length towards the Shynnyn 200 feet [61m]’ (Nicholls 1994, 467). A 19th century C of I church (WM029-042023-) stands in the centre of the graveyard with memorials mainly dating from the 18th-19th centuries located in S and E quadrant of the graveyard. The graveyard was closed for burials in 1871 (Murtagh 1994, 10). Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien Date of upload: 29 November 2013