Grave Yard — Garrycastle

Situated on a natural rise overlooking flat low-lying land with four holy wells (OF029-015004-/006-/007-/008-) to the N. The present graveyard boundary encloses a larger area than that depicted on the 1838 ed. OS 6-inch map which shows the ‘Convent’ standing in the centre of a narrow polygonal shaped graveyard with vault to the SW. On this map there is no boundary wall between the stream and the holy wells located to the N of the ‘Convent’. Some time after this date a new larger graveyard boundary wall was constructed and this is the boundary wall that is depicted on the 1908 ed. OS 25-inch map. On the 1908 ed. OS 25-inch map the ‘Vault’ to the SW of the convent building is no longer depicted and the holy wells and stream are now located outside the boundary wall of the graveyard to the N. Four holy wells (OF029-015004-/006-/007-/008-) are depicted on the 1838 ed. OS 6-inch map where they are shown located immediately to the N of a stream running E-W which at that time was located inside the boundary of the graveyard. Present remains consist of a large polygonal-shaped graveyard (dims. c. 78m N-S; 63m E-W) contains the remains of two buildings (OF029-015001-) of late 17th/early 18th century appearance which are annotated as a 'Convent' on the 1838 ed. OS 6-inch map. The graveyard contains memorials of post-1700 date and contains a 19th century burial enclosure belonging to the Sherlock family running along the E side of the graveyard wall. The interior of the convent appears to have been converted into private burial areas of local families including the McDonald and the Tiquin families in the 19th and 20th centuries. The graveyard wall is post-1700 in date and has a well preserved coffin-stand and stone stile located at the N end of the E wall of the graveyard close to the NE angle. To the N of the coffin stand there is an iron gateway giving access to the interior of the graveyard. The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Offaly' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1997). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien Date of upload: 04 September 2013