Outlined — Ballintubbert

In gently undulating countryside. Possible early graveyard here (Comerford 1883-6, 127) which today consists of a roughly square-shaped area (int. dims. 66m N-S; 73m E-W) enclosed by a post-medieval stone wall with St. Bridget's Church in centre of graveyard possibly standing on the site of the medieval church of Ballintubbert (LA019-014001-) although the wall footings of a building in the E quadrant of the graveyard may be the remains of the medieval church. Some uninscribed grave markers visible, the remaining memorials date from the 18th century onwards. In the 19th century Comerford recorded that the 'Protestant Church of Ballintubber occupies the site of the primitive parochial church (LA019-014001-); this is evidenced by the fact of Catholics being still interred in the burial ground attached to it' (Comerford 1886, vol. 3, 127). St. Bridget's holy well (LA019-014003-) located in SE quadrant of graveyard. A semi-circular-shaped scarp visible in the E quadrant of the graveyard may represent the remains of an earlier graveyard boundary feature which became obsolete when the graveyard area was extended and a new boundary wall was constructed to the S and E which included the holy well (LA019-014003-). The holy well may have originally been located outside the earlier smaller graveyard as defined by this low semi-circular shaped scarp. The wall footings (wall T 0.5m) of a small stone structure representing the remains of private burial place can be seen in the E quadrant of the graveyard in close proximity to the larger stone building. The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Laois' (Dublin Stationery Office, 1995) compiled by P. David Sweetman, Olive Alcock and Bernie Moran. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload: 24 June 2014 Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien