What is recorded here

Grave Yd is a living pentagonal graveyard in County Cork where the ruined parish church of Carrigdownane still stands at its centre. People have buried their dead beside that broken church since at least 1771, marking most lives with low stones that never learned the habit of naming them. The earthen bank rises like a forgotten shoulder, holding the field above the road while the northern gates admit whoever still remembers the weight of forgetfulness.

To NE of road. Pentagonal graveyard (c. 63m max. E-W; c. 47m max. N-S), raised above surrounding ground level to N, E and S; enclosed by overgrown earthen bank (H 1.5m) with some stone facing; entrance gates to N. Ruin of parish church of Carrigdownane (14402) in centre. In use; burials, mostly marked by low uninscribed gravemarkers, to S of and within church. Earliest headstone noted dated 1790; Grove White (1905-25, vol. 2, 52) records headstone of 1771. The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Cork. Volume 4: North Cork' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 2000). 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.