Monaster Grave Yard — Kilnahinch

This monument was described in 1976 as 'The graveyard (dims. c. 21m x 27m), of small rectangular plan, is enclosed by a modern stone mortared wall. Within are a number of small simple markers and iron crosses. No inscriptions on the headstones. In the SE corner, the graveyard wall incorporates the remains of an older roughly built wall, now ivy covered. This could be the remains of the south wall of a church (WM030-083001-). No sign of dressed or carved stone. The graveyard is located on a low ridge of esker type. Nearby to the E are the ruins of an old stone and brick cottage' (ASI file). The monument was revisited in 1979 when it was described as 'a small rectangular graveyard enclosed by a relatively modern stone wall. A section of the SE side of the wall near the W corner is higher and thicker than the rest, this is heavily obscured by ivy but it does have a rough plinth at its base on the outside and it could be the remains of the E wall of a church (?). The graveyard does not appear to be in use now and the surface is uneven and obscured by long grass. The few grave markers visible consists of plain, iron ringed crosses and some rough large stones loosely setup, there are other stones under the sod but whether or not they are gravestons it is not possible to day. There are no inscriptions visible. There are no indications of an earlier enclosure on the site. The graveyard is on a small NW-SE running ridge in poor pasture land on the S edge of a bog. There is a quarry hole in the NW end of the ridge and a small ruined cottage to the NE' (ASI file). The graveyard was last visited in 1980 when it was described as a 'very small rectangular enclosure bounded by a stone wall, seemingly of 19th century date. The northern end of the SE walll incorpprates part of an older wall. This older wall is approx. 3m-3.5m high. This wall is partly covered by ivy. This appears to be the remains of a church (WM030-083001-), although there are no architectural features and no decorated stones visible. This wall runs in a NE-SW direction and the base of the wall is set on a rough plinth is approx. 10-15cms wider than the wall. The alignment of the wall is rather odd if this is part of a church. The graveyard measures 21m NW-SE by 17m NE-SW. Sited on a slight rise overlooking low west ground to the north and NW. No earthworks.' (ASI file) Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien Date of upload: 30 November 2009