What is recorded here

Kilcolta Graveyard stands on a hill above Cork Harbour, holding hundreds of unnamed dead since at least 1711. The roofless ruins of St. Matthew’s church sit at its southern edge, built in 1778 from walls of an older temple already ruined by 1615. People have buried their dead here for centuries, layering new stones over forgotten ones while the sea wind moves through the grass.

On top of a hill, overlooking entrance to Cork Harbour to SE, approached by roadway from W, 1Km SE of Crosshaven. Irregular-shaped graveyard (c. 80m E-W; c. 90m N-S) enclosed by stone wall to W (L c. 70m) and to S for short section on E side of gateway; substantial earthen bank (H 1.2m) elsewhere. Many low uninscribed gravemarkers; earliest inscribed headstone noted dates to 1711. According to O Murchadha (1967, 45-7) at least another 40 18th century headstones. Near S end, roofless ruins of C of I church of St. Matthew (CO099-03001-), 'erected in 1778, near the site of a former church' (Lewis 1837, vol. 2, 601), according to O Murchadha (ibid, 44) 'walls of the old Teampall Bríde demolished to make way for the new church'. This was ancient parish church of Templebreedy which was in ruins by 1615 (Brady 1867, vol. 1, 327) and described in 1700 as 'built with stone and clay, the walls are standing, but uncovered' (Lunham 1909, 170). 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

The monument record does not grant public access. Check the route and ask the landowner before entering private land.