Cholera Burial Ground — Killala

In pasture, located towards the base of a steep SW-facing slope which forms one side of a narrow stream valley. This 19th-century burial ground is named ‘Cholera Burial Ground’ on the 1838 and 1929 OS 6-inch maps. It is shown on both editions as an elongated triangular space (c. 65-70m NW–SE; c. 20m NE–SW) bordered by field boundaries. The outline of the triangular enclosure can still be traced, although it is now bisected at its W end by a later NE–SW field fence. It is bordered at NE by an overgrowth-covered NW–SE field fence/scarp and at S by a linear feature (Wth c. 2.5m) which appears to be the remnants of a trackway. The enclosed space consists of a neglected strip of ground, densely engulfed in overgrowth. Two graves are visible, partly concealed in overgrowth, adjacent to the NW–SE field bank/scarp. Each consists of a horizontal rectangular graveslab resting on a roughly-built base of mortared stones. The inscription on one of the slabs reads: ‘Pray for the soul of Edward O’ Bryan who departed this life on the 31st day of October 1832 aged 44 years. This stone was erected by his beloved wife Catherine O’ Bryan of Kilalla’ (sic). The inscription on the other graveslab is obscured by moss. A third graveslab, clearly displaced, protrudes at an angle from a clump of brambles. According to local information, there are eight or nine graves at this location. Compiled by: Jane O’Shaughnessy Date of upload: 8 May 2019