What is recorded here

You can walk through the ruined church in Tankardstown and touch the stone wall that has guarded Mathew Cain since 1607. The river Barrow still bends around the field where his headstone stands beside Samuel Cooper, proving that ordinary people were counted worthy of memory before empires redrew the world.

In undulating countryside on the W bank of the River Barrow. Rectangular shaped graveyard (LA026-009003-) enclosed by a stone wall as indicated on current ed OS 6-inch map. Tankardstown Church (LA026-009001-) ruins in centre of graveyard. 17th century headstone of Mathew Cain in E quadrant of graveyard with second 17th century memorial stone (LA026-009007-) of Samuel Cooper immediately to S. Inscription on headstone reads; HERE LIES THE BODY OF MATHEW CAIN WHO DIED 7TH DAY OF NOVEMBER ANNO DOM 1607. See attached plan and photographs courtesy of Michael Donovan Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien based on details provided by Michael Donovan, Athy Cemeteries Committee Date of upload: 4 October 2022

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