Grave Yard — Annagh (trughanacmy By., Kiltallagh Ed)

Church and graveyard survey commissioned by Kerry Co. Co. which was carried out in 2008 recorded the following details; 'Annagh graveyard comprises two sections; an older section containing the ruins of a medieval parish church [KE038-003001-] and a modern graveyard extension to the south. The western boundary wall for the modern extension is currently being re-vamped by Kerry County Council, with two entrances located at the northern and southern ends. The southern boundary wall of the old graveyard contains a pedestrian gate entrance at its southwestern corner as well as a metal swing turnstile immediately to the north in the western wall. The modern extension is bounded by a concrete block wall to the west and south, a wooden fence to the east and a very fine 19th century rubble sandstone and limestone wall with ‘cow and calf’ coping to the north, which also forms the southern boundary of the old graveyard and further extends around the entire limits of the old graveyard. The boundary walls measure an average 1.5m in height. Two separate entrances exist for the two areas of the graveyard. Access/egress to the modern area is gained through two pedestrian gates, with one at either end of the western boundary wall. The southernmost entrance consists of a modern cast iron gate set between two cement rendered concrete piers and concrete saddle capping. The northernmost entrance exists in a crude fashion at present as it is currently under construction from concrete blocks. Access/egress to the older area is gained through an original iron gate set between two cut stone sandstone piers with a flat, square capping. An iron swing turnstile is located immediately to the north of this gate, set in the western boundary. A formal perimeter gravel path extends from the entrance gate and turnstile of the old graveyard, while shorter gravel paths are located sporadically between the graves on the southern side of the graveyard. There were at least twenty six ex-situ architectural fragments noted of which twenty four are currently lying loose on or partially inserted into the partially rebuilt west gable of the medieval church. All of the fragments are dressed structural masonry executed in local red sandstone. Several are quite large and would be difficult to remove, however, others are small and could easily be removed. Several comprise the splayed ingoings of a window embrasure as well as at least one complete sill stone. A broken stoup was also noted partially set within the reduced fabric at the extreme southwest angle of the church. Another unremarkable fragment was recorded within the church interior painted in white. A further, chamfered piece, possible section of a string course, is set as a grave marker immediately in front of or to the east of the Gace-Forther tomb (Buckley and Dunne 2008, 3-9)' See attached photographs provided courtesy of Eachtra Archaeology. Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien based on details provided in Eachtra Archaeological Report Date of upload: 28 January 2022