Grave Yard — Churchfield

At the W end of the summit of a hill which curves around to the S, in gently undulating pastureland. Another hill, c. 120m across the road to the W, is surmounted by a motte and bailey (TS059-014001-). According to Seymour (1916, 154) the church of 'Donhekly or Dunhogyl' is mentioned in the Papal Taxations of 1291 and 1302 and in 1615 the church and chancel are described as being in repair, and thatched with straw. The church (TS059-016---) is roughly centrally placed within a sub-rectangular graveyard (dims. 40m E-W; 32m N-S at the W side and 54m N-S at the E side) enclosed by a relatively modern stone wall (T 0.52m) capped with concrete. The graveyard appears to have been originally defined by a scarp (H 1m) which was subsequently enclosed by a graveyard wall, the scarp is clearly defined along the S and W side where the wall is 1.5m and 1.7m to the S and W respectively. The scarp is not so clear on the N and E side but on the 1st (1840) ed. OS 6-inch map the complete circuit of scarp appears to be indicated within the enclosing graveyard wall. The entrance is in the W wall of the graveyard with steps built into the scarp. There are two architectural fragments in the graveyard re-used as grave-markers, a sandstone corbel (H above ground 0.4m; Wth 0.17m; D 0.14m) 3.7m E of the S end of the E gable and another corbel (H above ground 0.45m; Wth 0.3m; D 0.21m), lichen covered, 2m E of the N end of the E gable. The earliest noted headstones date to 1763 and 1764 and are located S of ther former S wall of the church. The graveyard appears to be still in use, the most recent noted headstone dates to 2009 and is situated in the NE corner of the graveyard. Daniel Breen (1894-1969), celebrated for his role in the War of Independence, who subsequently fought on the Anti-Treaty side of the Civil War, is buried in the NW sector of the graveyard. Compiled by: Jean Farrelly Date of upload: 26 August 2011