What is recorded here
No grave marker remains, yet the Bealin High Cross still stands elsewhere because men pulled it from the buried ground at Twyford. That admission is not a suggestion. A church existed, people died there, and the house absorbed the wall instead of preserving the place. Forgetting is not neutrality. It is a choice made by the living.
The 'Site of a Monastery' (WM029-009----) was located in the grounds of Twyford House may have been the site of Íseal Chiaráin, or the low place of St. Ciaran of Clonmacnoise (Cox 1969, 6-14; O'Donovan 1851, 824). Bealin High Cross (WM029-008----) was removed from the grounds of Twyford house in the 18th century. Anglo-Norman motte castle (WM029-007----) 315m to NW and possible holy well (WM029-009001-) 100m to N. The S shoreline of Twy Lough lies 480m to NW.
In 1837 the Ordnance Survey recorded that the Bealin High Cross (WM029-008---) was, 'said to have been removed thither from an old graveyard in Twy [ford] by the father of the present Lord Castlemaine [Reverend Richard Handcock]. No trace of this graveyard is now visible, but the cross proves that there was an ancient church there’ (OSL 1837, vol. 1, 68).
There are no surface remains visible of any graveyard in the grounds of Twyford House and the location of this possible medieval graveyard has not been precisely identified. Cox (1969, 6-14) suggested that a portion of the ruins of a monastic building or church were incorporated into the wall of the garden of Twyford House. Cox (1969, 6-14), suggested that the parish church of Ballyloughloe (now Mount Temple WM030-045001-) was situated at Twyford until the fifteenth century.
Compiled by: Alison McQueen, Vera Rahilly and Caimin O'Brien
Date of upload: 29 November 2018
Christian burial ground, possibly medieval in origin, associated with a monastic site linked to St. Ciaran of Clonmacnoise. Its significance lies in its potential connection to early Irish monastic tradition and local saintly cults.
The monument record does not grant public access. Check the route and ask the landowner before entering private land.
- What survives
- Recorded monument
Places near here
Twyford Housefarmyard complex · 85 yd
Site of MonasteryEcclesiastical site · 145 yd
CrossCross, High cross (present location) · 573 yd
Belvillegate lodge · 662 yd
CastleCastle, motte · 1109 yd
Killinure PointHeadland · 4.0 mi
Athlone Music MuseumMuseum · 4.1 mi
1916 Centenery CommemorationMemorial · 4.2 mi