What is recorded here

Douglas cemetery began as an open field where Bishop Dive Downes saw church foundations in 1699, but it has grown into a stone-walled rectangle beside the road. The old watch house, carved stones and nearby St Columbas chapel suggest that death, memory and local faith have repeatedly reshaped this ground.

In Douglas, on E-side of road to graveyard (CO074-097---). Shown on 1842 OS 6-inch map as subrectangular area (c. 65m N-S; c. 30m E-W) with Watch House on E periphery. Now extended to E to form rectangular area (c. 65m N-S; c. 130m E-W) enclosed by stone wall. Bishop Dive Downes, in 1699 (Lunham 1909, 169) records 'a burying place in an open field 'where the foundations of a church could still be seen. According to Foley (1991, 39) this church was at the W side of the graveyard where some carved stones were found. Present R.C. Chapel (St Columbas) is c. 70m to S; extended 1907 (Foley 1991, 39) 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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