Burial Ground — Kilcolman

The Ordnance Survey Letters of 1838 recorded that the 'tradition in the place is that St. Colman [of Doire Mór] founded a monastery here, from whom the Parochial name Kilcolman (ecclesia S. Colmani) is formed' (O' Flanagan 1933, vol. 2, 31). However this tradition appears to be incorrect as the church of Doire/Daire Mór associated with St. Colmán was located in the townland of Longfordpass North (TN042-025----), Co. Tipperary (Gwynn and Hadcock 1970, 389; Manning 1997, 359; Ó Riain 2011, 196). This monastery appears to have been named after St. Colman the black or ‘Black Colman’ which formed part of the monastic estate of Monaincha (TN018-001001-), Co. Tipperary. In 1503 there is a reference to 'sancti Colimani Nigri' which translates as 'Saint Colman the dark or black' (Gleeson and Costello 1943, 90). On W facing slope of rising ground in undulating countryside overlooking stream 50m to the W. Ruins of rectangular church (OF038-007001-) standing in E sector of graveyard. Site of levelled church (OF038-007001-) in SW area of graveyard. Large roughly rectangular shaped graveyard (int. dims. 32m NW-SE; 67m NE-SW) with 18th/19th-century headstones enclosed by a stone wall of post-medieval date. Graveyard entered through entrance gate at S with stile on W side of gateway. Site of St. Colman's holy well (OF038-007002-) 65m to S and bullaun stone (OF038-007005-) 50m to SSW. 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 and revised by: Caimin O'Brien Date of revision: 16 September 2014