What is recorded here

Grave Yd is a triangular, densely overgrown graveyard on the eastern edge of Monkstown, Cork, where the ground falls steeply toward Cork Harbour and the ruins of a late medieval parish church still crouch at its northern corner. It stopped receiving burials long ago, yet chest tombs, vaults and low uninscribed markers remain packed inside a stone wall, the earliest headstone dated 1710 and many others from the 19th century. The place feels less like a forgotten field than a held breath: a crowded chamber of dead people leaning out over the harbour, waiting for someone to remember their names.

On E side of road, ground falls away steeply to E; overlooking Monkstown and Cork Harbour to E. Triangular graveyard (wide to W; c. 30m N-S; c. 40m E-W) enclosed by stone wall; densely overgrown and virtually impenetrable. No longer in use; many low uninscribed gravemarkers; numerous chest tombs and vaults; earliest headstone dated to 1710, many of 19th century date (Coleman 1901-3b; O'Leary 1918, 71-3; Hurse 1925 and 1926, facing p. 12). Ruins of late medieval parish church of Monkstown (CO087-02902-) at N corner, also heavily overgrown. The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Cork. Volume 2: East and South Cork' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1994). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload/revision: 14 January 2009

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