Grave Yard — Ballycallan

On a low rise with good views to the NE, SE and S but limited elsewhere due to higher ground. On the 1st (1839) ed. OS 6-inch map the graveyard is shown by a dashed line which indicates that it had no fixed enclosing element. By the revised 1900 ed. the graveyard is indicated as a being slightly larger sub-square area (dims. c. 40m NW-SE; c. 35m NE-SW) and it had been enclosed. It is defined by a stone wall, capped with concrete, and entered at the S end of the W wall. There is no visible trace of the medieval church (KK018-072001-) and the later late 18th-century C of I church has also been demolished. Several medieval architectural fragments from the church have been reused as grave-markers. There are four graveslabs (KK018-072004-; KK018-072005-; KK018-072006-; KK018-072007-) in the graveyard, which appear to be of 13th/14th-century date. The OS Letters (1839) describe it as, ‘a large and popular burying ground’ (O’Flanagan ed. 1930, vol. 1, 235 (79)). A particular custom was noted in the 1850s where, ‘On the first day of February (being St. Bridget’s day), parties who have relatives buried in the church-yard of Ballycallan come and strip the grass from the graves of their friends, which they then cover with gravel, and decorate with branches of laurel and other evergreens, being unable to procure flowers at the above season’ (Anon. 1854-4, 343-4). This custom is also described by Holahan (1883, 81-2) who writes, ‘St. Bridget, or Brigid, of Kildare, is the patroness of the Parish of Ballycallan. Her festival is observed on the first of February. On the eve of the festival children and men may be observed wending their way to the churchyard. The surface of the graves is dug up, sand is placed upon them, they are raised, made smooth, and neatly rounded. They are then decked with holly and ivy, and other evergreens, together with such flowers as can be procured. The “Pattern” day is usually celebrated on the following Sunday. Pilgrimages were made at the site of the ancient Church near the cross-roads of Ballycallan, until about fifty years ago [c. 1830s]’. Compiled by: Jean Farrelly Date of upload: 3 February 2021