Graveyard in Tristernagh Demesne

Situated on the site of Tristernagh House with medieval bridge (WM011-052----) 160m to W. Lough Iron was originally 280m to NE but since the Inny River drainage scheme of the late 1960s the shoreline of the lake now stands 650m to NE. Augustinian priory (WM011-053----) of Tristernagh sometimes called the Priory of Kilbixy, dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary and founded by Geoffrey de Constantine of Cosmeston Castle, Glamorganshire, in the late 12th century (Gwynn and Hadcock 1970, 196; Dugdale 1846, 1147). The churchyard or graveyard of the priory is mentioned in the 12th century charter of Tristernagh which recorded that the extent of the priory included; ‘carucates of land adjoining; the islands in the Lough (Lough Iron), and sundry other lands, with a water mill in Kilbixy ; two carucates in Cunemucks, with a mill and two fisheries, called Duffchara and Carangilly ; in Balyrothy a toft, and all that land which belonged to Ralph the carpenter ; a messuage without the walls of Dublin, near the village of Hogges ; the churches of Kilbixy, Balyrothery, Tyrclogher, Rathroin, Glin, Croskeyn, and Killoe, with all their appurtenances ; five carucates of the wood of Kilcareth, with several other lands, &c., and liberty to elect their own prior after the death of the said Henry. Witness, Simon, Bishop of Meath. Simon Rochfort, Bishop of Meath, granted to this abbey the privileges of a free churchyard’ (Cogan 1870, 605). In 1783 the priory buildings were pulled down Sir Pigott William Piers who built Tristernagh House adjacent to the priory (Brewer 1825-6, 239). According to Archdall (1786, 730; Cogan 1870, 608; ) in this year ‘Sir Pigott William Piers sacrilegiously invaded the graveyard, had the skulls, bones, and tombs, torn from their resting-place, and put out of his way into a hole. The walls of the abbey were next torn down, and a mansion (Tristernagh House) for the proprietor was erected on the site. All that remained of the old abbey were a few walls, which were allowed to form a portion of the new residence. The Tristernagh property has since been sold off, in the Encumbered Estates Court’ (Cogan 1870, 608). By the early 19th century a stable and cow-house stood on the site of the priory (Brewer 1825-6, 239). Today there are no surface remains visible of the graveyard which was located in close proximity to Tristernagh House depicted on the 1837 ed. OS 6-inch map. Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien Date of upload: 21 August 2017