Kilmoremoy Grave Yard

On a level terrace on an E and SE-facing ridge slope. League cemetery, another burial ground (MA030-051004-), occupies rising ground immediately to W. Kilmoremoy Graveyard is indicated on the 1837 OS 6-inch map as a rectangular area outlined by a dashed line, with a church ‘in ruins’ (MA030-051001-), shown in the SE quadrant; by the time of the 1930 the rectangular area (c. 65-70m N−S; c. 55m E−W, 1930 ed.) is shown enclosed by a wall. Mortared stone walls are extant on the E and S sides of the graveyard. The S boundary coincides with the townland boundary, and is bordered by a small access road that branches off the main Ballina-Kilalla road. Twin cut-stone entrance stiles can be seen in the S wall, flanking a flat-topped section of wall, which was probably used as a coffin rest. The enclosing walls on the N and W sides were removed in the second half of the 20th century when the graveyard was expanded 200m to N and c. 160m to W and NW. Traces of the N wall can still be seen as a low jumble of stone and debris marked by a line of sycamore trees. A paved road now overlies the line of the W wall; it gives access to the modern section of the graveyard, and is bordered by a row of 20th-century graves. Rough grass and scrub distinguish the older graveyard from the modern extension. There are 19th-century graveslabs, table and chest tombs, and 19th- and early 20th-century headstones, interspersed with low uninscribed stone grave-markers. 19th-century tombs are also evident in the interior of the ruined medieval church. Compiled by: Jane O’Shaughnessy Date of upload: 2 February 2021