Final Resting Places

 

1818 gravestone of William Fahy, Creevaghbaun

Killererin Heritage Society

 

Tomb of Miles Kirwan 1816

John Coyle, Killererin Heritage Society

 

Grave of Rev. W Jennings, Creevaghbaun

Killererin Heritage Society

 

Gravestone of Rev. John Keaveney 1925

John Coyle, Killererin Heritage Society

 

Headstone of Martin Farrell of Togher Mills - Creevaghbaun

John Coyle Killererin Heritage Society

Thousands of our people have found their final resting places in various burial grounds dotted throughout the parish. These include Creevaghbawn graveyard, Killererin old and new graveyards, Lissavalley Church of Ireland site and various children’s burial grounds. In the earlier years, only the very well off could afford to erect a memorial but we are fortunate to have some memorials dating back to the early 18th century in our burial grounds.

The following is a mere sample of those recorded as finding their final resting places in our parish[1].

Creevaghbawn Graveyard

The earliest recorded memorial in Creevaghbawn graveyard is that of the Hurley family and dates to 1711. It is a flat flagstone and gives the following information:

IHS
O Lord have mercy of the
Soul of Dominick Hurley
Who died on the 10th November 1716
Aged 60 years
His wife Mary Hurley who died August 1711 and of their
Children
RIP

Other memorials that date from the 18th and early 19th century include the following:

IHS
O Lord have mercy on the
Soul of William Fahy who
Depd this life on the
16th of July 1818
Aged 60 Years
This stone was erected by his wife Bridget Fahy for them and posterity

There are also some memorials which give information on occupations of the deceased person. The following gives an insight into some of the occupations listed:

IHS
Sacred Heart of Jesus
Have Mercy on the Soul of
Martin Farrell Togher Mills
Who died May 31st 1902
Aged 40 years.
Daniel Farrell Coolreevagh
Toher
Died 11th February 1985 aged 93 years.
Their son Martin
Died 22nd February 2010 aged 82 years
R.I.P.
Erected by his loving wife and children

IHS
Sacred Heart of Jesus
Have Mercy on the Soul of
John Cunningham, Blacksmith
who died Nov 13th 1922 aged 82 yrs.
Also his wife Anne
Who Died July 20th 1936 aged 84 yrs
and Kate Cunningham who died March 14th 1953 Aged 81 yrs.
Erected by William husband
of Kate Cunningham
Who died March 5th 1970, Aged 72 yrs.
R.I.P.

Killererin Old Graveyard

The earliest recorded memorial in the old cemetery in Killererin is that of Patrick Scharry and dates back to 1706. It gives the following brief information:

IHS
Patrick Scharry (sic)
November 17th 1706 aged 55

IHS
Pray For Edmond Bur
ke Parish Priest of Ki
llereran who got me
Made for Him and His
Successors A. Nom 1726

The following is a tomb which is located inside the ruins of the old church:

IHS
Lord have mercy
On the soul of
Father Patrick Bermingham MICH.
His brother and Margaret
His wife, Nicholas their son
His wife Eliza.h
and their Defecndts (sic)
1792

IHS
Pray for the soul of Patrick
Kirwan Who departed this life on
26th of January 1801 in the 37th
Year of his age
Also Bridget Kirwan his wife who
Died in 1847 and his son John who
Died in March 1853 Also their
Son in Law Patrick Hanly who died
July 9th 1874

IHS
O Lord have Mercy on the Soul
Of Miles Kirwan Esqr Barrister
at Law who dep’d this life on
the 31 day of Novr 1816 aged 33
yrs this Tomb was Erd by his
Disconsolate wife as a token of
Hre affection For Him May He
Rest In Peace Amen.
Maria J. Kirwan Died May 10th 1874
Jerald Bourke Died March 28th 1888
Aged 7 Months
Mary A. Kirwan Died June 27th 1898
Aged 75 years
M. J. Kirwan Died March 26th 1865
Mary M. Bourke Died Nov. 26th 1898
Aged 14 Years
REMEMBER MAN AS YOU PASS BY
AS YOU ARE NOW SO ONCE WAS I
AS I AM NOW SO WILL YOU BE
REMEMBER DEATH I PRAY FOR ME

IHS
Underneath are deposited the
Remains of Edmond Kirwan Esq
Who departed this life 1st of
March 1835 aged 36 Years
May the Lord have mercy on his soul

This Monument was Erected by His Affectionate Sister Margaret, Donflan Alias Kirwan

IHS
Pray for the Soul of the
Rev. Patrick Waldron P.P. Killererin
Who Died Dec. 12 1887 Aged 47 Years
Erected by His Faithful Parishioners
R.I.P.

IHS
Lord Have Mercy on
The Soul of
Revd John Keaveney P.P.
Killererin
Who Died 31st December 1925
Aged 78 years.
He ministered In This
Parish for 38 years

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[1] Marie Mannion, Heritage Officer, Galway Co. Council.