Grave Yd — Corkbeg

On S side of Whitegate Bay, 400m SSW of Whitegate village; roughly rectangular graveyard (c. 70m N-S; c. 60m E-W) with ruins of late medieval parish church of Corkbeg near NE corner (CO088-03302-); no trace of C of I church built in SW corner in 1843; immediately outside S boundary C of I church, built in 1881, and still in use. Near centre, square area enclosed by stone wall with entrance piers of cut limestone, plaque on pier with inscription "This Inclosure was Erected at / the Desire of Robert Uniacke /FitzGerald Esq. as a place / of Burial for him and his / Posterity A.D.1778"; this family lived at nearby Corkbeg House (5527). Many 19th century headstones in partially overgrown graveyard (Coleman 1904-6a); earliest headstones date from 1727; intricately carved stone with floriated tracery dated 1758, early 18th century plaque carved with 'Instruments of the Passion' (O'Shea 1988, 71-2 & 82) recently removed for safekeeping. In occasional use. 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