What is recorded here

Indicated is a living graveyard beside the Bandon estuary where De Courcy and Bullen tombs still stand among newer stones. The Bullen memorial dates from 1726, but the oldest visible headstones appear no earlier than the late 1700s, suggesting older graves may have been lost, covered or never marked in a way that survived. The place keeps doing what graveyards do: holding the dead, changing with the living and refusing to explain every gap.

On N side of road, overlooking estuary of Bandon river to N. Rectangular graveyard (c. 70m NW-SE; c. 60m NE-SW) enclosed by stone wall; still in use. 'There are two or three large built-up tombs here, including that of the De Courceys, Lords Kinsale' (Coleman 1913-16e, 437); also memorial erected by Bullen family in 1726 consisting of 'Coat-of-Arms above an incised inscription, in a frame over a box tomb' (Westropp 1913-16, 242 & facing photo); earliest headstones date from late 18th century. Near N end ruins of C of I church (CO125-002001-) on site of ancient parish church of Ringrone. 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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