Graveyard in Dysert

In 2011 a graveyard survey carried out by Ann Frykler and Robert Hanbidge of Headland Archaeology Ltd. recorded the following details: ‘The graveyard is positioned on a slight rise with level pasture bounded to the north‐east by the tidal stretches of the River Feale. Within the graveyard immediately to the north of the centre are the ruinous remains of a church [KE010-062----], of which only the south, west and northern walls survive. The graveyard is accessed via a straight laneway off a cul‐de‐sac with car parking adjacent the graveyard entrance. Historic rubblestone walls with rubblestone coping enclose the graveyard. A later render gate‐pier positioned on the external west elevation of the graveyard boundary forms part of a field entrance that gives access to a short laneway that is bounded to the west by an earth bank. A single pedestrian entrance is located to the western boundary and is flanked to the south by a ruinous stone stile. A gravel pathway extends all around the graveyard in close proximately to the graveyard wall. The boundary walls surrounding the graveyard consist of roughly dressed, mortared rubble‐stone with rubble‐stone coping and for the most part are in good condition. There are only three named tombs (Grave Nos. 04, 14 & 32) represented at Dysert Burial Ground, which are located in the south‐eastern half of the graveyard. Located close to the entrance is the oldest tomb (Grave No. 4) with a date of 1793 and contains the remains of the Haragan/Hannan Family. The tomb is constructed in a typical eighteenth century fashion with rubble‐stone walls featuring tooled stone quoins. The roof is hipped and has an external rendering. The tomb is distinguished by a unusual decorative plaque which has a short verse after commemorating the individual. There are two unnamed tombs (Grave Nos. 41 & 46) within Dysert Burial Grounds. There are 39 named headstones and plots at Dysert Burial Ground. The majority of the graves date to the 20th century. Only one unnamed headstone (Grave No. 3) was recorded within Dysert Burial Ground. Similarly only two unnamed gravemarkers (Grave Nos. 11 & 18) were recorded within Dysert Burial ground. Located in between the plots to Grave Nos. 7 and 44 and included within the concrete reinforcing to base is the possible fragment of a saddle quern. The fragment has an irregular shape in plan and has a smooth concave‐shaped basin to its outward (west) facing side' (Hanbidge 2011, 5-12). See attached plan of church and graveyard courtesy of Robert Hanbidge Revised by: Caimin O'Brien Date of revised upload: 10 June 2022