Grave Yard — Fethard

In the southern end of town, S of the eastern end of Main Street and within the town wall (TS070-040032-), which kinks out to form its southern boundary. This roughly rectangular graveyard (dims. 66m N-S; 90m E-W) surrounds the medieval parish church (TS070-040001-) which was built along the edge of the old river terrace c. 1208 (Reg. St John, 294) and dedicated to St John the Baptist. The medieval church and graveyard were very much a focal point in the town. There is an almshouse (TS070-040003-) on the northern boundary, with two entrances at first-floor level opening into the graveyard, another almshouse (TS070-040011-) immediately outside the southern boundary of the graveyard which had an entrance into the graveyard and a third almshouse (TS080-040103-) is mentioned in the Grace map of 1708 as being 'the poorhouse in the church yard' (O'Keeffe 2003, map 5). A number of prestigious buildings along the E boundary, including Fethard Castle (TS070-040005-), Edmond's Castle (TS070-040002-) and a 16th/17th-century house (TS070-040006-), also have entrances in the W elevations, possibly giving access directly into the graveyard in the first two examples and via a doorway in the W boundary wall in the latter example. There are a number of medieval graveslabs (TS070-040090-; TS070-040091-; TS070-040094-; TS070-040098- and TS070-040099-) within the graveyard. Compiled by: Jean Farrelly Date of upload: 12 May 2015