Grave Yard — Unknown Townland

The present 18th century St. Kevin's Church ruins stands on the site of an earlier medieval parish church (DU018-020078-) in St. Kevin's graveyard now a public park on Camden Row. Listed among the possessions of the Canons of Holy Trinity in 1179 (McNeill 1950, 7). In 1582 it was re-roofed but by 1630 the nave and chancel were ruinous. The present building was constructed c. 1780 (Wheeler and Craig 1948, 22, Bradley &1987 115). There are medieval paving tiles extant (Eames & Fanning 1988, 63). Situated in St. Kevin's Park, Camden Row, is a church dating back at least as far as the 13th century, and was dedicated to Kevin of Glendalough. The church was first mentioned in historical annals in 1226. From the 13th century it formed part of the Manor of St. Sepulchre, which was directly under the jurisdiction of the Archbishop of Dublin. An archaeological excavation carried out in 1967 uncovered some medieval graves and coins. St Kevin's Church was the burial place of Archbishop Dermot O'Hurley who was interred here after his execution on 20 June 1584 at Hoggens Green. O'Hurley, ordained Archbishop of Cashel in 1581, was imprisoned and tortured by government authorities upon his return from Rome in 1583. His grave became a place of veneration for Roman Catholics for several hundred years. In 1609, in view of the throngs of pilgrims coming to his grave, the church was rebuilt and a new entrance was made. In 1698, the time of the Penal Laws, the church was offered to the Huguenot community as a place of worship and cemetery. The graveyard continued to be used by Catholics until the end of the 19th century. In 1904 the following details were recorded by the Rev. R.S. Maffett about the Leeson altar-tomb in St Kevin's graveyard which dates from the late 17th/18th century. Revd. Maffet described the tomb as follows; 'The "Leeson" altar-tomb lies along the south wall of the church, some 1½ to 2 feet from it. The tomb is about 40 feet from the west end, and 24 from the east end, of the church [DU018-020078-], and bears, the sexton told me, the oldest date in the churchyard. At the top is a coat-of-arms, which, as well as the inscription, is in excellent preservation. I took a rubbing of it, which I append to these notes. Archdall says that Hugh Leeson was descended from a family of this name which was seated at Whitfield, in the County of Northampton, 'and came into Ireland in 1680, an officer in His Majesty's army, afterwards retiring from the service and becoming an eminent brewer. He married Rebecca, daughter of Richard Tighe, Alderman of Dublin, and had four sons, three of whom, Thomas, William, and Hugh, died without issue. Joseph, who died in 1741, succeeded him in his business. The only son of this Joseph (also named Joseph) entered Parliament, and was ultimately advanced to the Earldom of Milltown. Archdall's description of the arms of the Earl of Milltown is:—" Ruby, a chief, pearl on the lower part a cloud, and rays of the sun issuing from thence, proper." Crest: "On a wreath, a demi-lion, rampant, with the sun in his paws." The motto is: "Clarior e tenebris." Archdall seems to be in error as to the date "1680" in the above account, Burke (1904) stating that Hugh Leeson, having been engaged as a military officer in Ireland, settled there "temp. Charles I." The latter authority mentions, besides Joseph, another son, Hugh, Prebendary of Yagoe, in St. Patrick's Cathedral. The date of the latter's institution I find in Cotton to have been 1686. This is, perhaps, the Hugh Leeson who graduated e.a., 1678, and m.a., 1681, according to the "Catalogue of Graduates of Dublin University." A second Hugh Leeson, b.a., 1708, must, however, belong to another family if Archdall's statements with respect to the sons of the Hugh Leeson of the inscription are correct. We are told on the memorial in St. Kevin's Churchyard that it was "erected" in 1685, "beautified" in 1741, and "renewed" in 1852. The shield, on which there appears to be a martlet as a mark of cadency, has on the top an esquire's helmet with mantling. The tinctures are not given. There is no mention on the tombstone of any actual burials other than those of the family of the Hon. Robert Leeson, fourth son of the first Earl of Milltown, with the exception of that of his mother, the Earl's third wife. It would be of interest to ascertain whether Hugh Leeson, who erected the tomb, is buried here, or any other members of the family than those mentioned. The first five lines of the inscription (the first letter in each of which, as well as the last letter of the first, and the two last of the second line, is carved on the curved edge of the top slab) are of a more archaic character than the rest. The "s" is not of the tall form, but, like one or two other letters, differs slightly from the modern type. There is no "and" between "himself" and "his posterity," and, unlike the record of burials, there are no capitals, except initials. The under part of the tomb is covered with cement. The inscription is as follows; 'This tomb was Erected by Mr Hugh Leeson of the City of Dublin Brewer for himself his posterity the 29th day of January 1685 and now Beautified by his Son Joseph Leeson the 14th day of May, 1741. — Beneath are interred the following members of the family. GRACE 1 st Wife of the HONBLE ROBT LEESON, Died 11th Novr 1833. WILLIAM, eldest son of SIR W. E. LEESON, Died 2nd Augt 1837. ELIZABETH, COUNTESS OF MILLTOWN, Died 22nd Jany 1842 Aged 100. she was third wife of the above named JOSEPH LEESON who was created EARL OF MILLTOWN, 1760. THE HONBLE ROBERT LEESON, youngest son of the 1st EARL OF MILLTOWN, by his third wife, Died 10th April 1852. at which period this tomb was renewed by his son SIR WILLIAM EDWD LEESON' Maffett, R.S. 1906 St Kevin's Old Churchyard. Journal of the Association for the Preservation of the Memorials of the Dead in Ireland, Vol. VI, 1904-06, 287-89. Dublin Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien Date of upload: 13 March 2023