Wednesday, July 8th, 2026
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Blessing of Glenmore Graves 2026
There were several ancient churches in what is now Glenmore Parish. However, there are only four old cemeteries surrounding the ruins of four of the ancient churches. A committee of volunteers every year cleans these old cemeteries for the Rosary and blessing of the graves. It is a tradition that highlights our heritage. Then at the end of July a Mass is celebrated in St. James’s Church yard in Glenmore Village bringing together family, friends and neighbhours from near and far.
Monday the 6th of July was the first of the Rosaries and blessing of the graves at Kilcolumb in Rathinure. In this isolated place, down a narrow lane that has changed little over the centuries, thirty people gathered. After the Rosary led by Fr. Liam Taylor and the blessing of the graves, the attendees spent some time exploring the old graveyard and the nearby headache stone. A few brave youngsters tried to visit the holy well Thubber na gcullen.
If you were not able to attend Kilcolumb there are three more of the old cemeteries on the schedule, and hopefully the weather will continue to be nice.
Thursday, 9th July, Kilbride, Weatherstown
Monday, 13th July, Ballygurrim, Jamestown
Thursday, 16th July, Kilmakevoge, Graiguenakill (known locally as Kilivory).
All Rosaries start at 7.30 pm.
We are so lucky that Danny Dowling (1927-2023) recorded 60 years ago the grave stones in the old cemeteries because many of the grave stones are limestone and no longer legible. The inscriptions Danny recorded from Kilcolumb, Killbride, Ballygurrim and Kilivory are found under “Roots” on our main page.
If you would like to know more about the Ancient Churches at Rathinure, Rochestown and Davidstown, see our post of 21 January 2024 regarding Kilcolumb, Rochestown, & Davidstown. If you would like to know more about the Ancient Churches at Weatherstown, Kilbride and Kilmakevoge see our post of 19 November 2023.
Lastly, on Friday, the 24th of July the Glenmore Cemetery Mass will commence at 7:30 pm in St. James’s Churchyard, Glenmore Village.
One of the most frequent questions we are asked concerns where people or families are buried. We can search Danny’s records and the newspapers for obituaries etc., but the blessing of the graves is the best time to ask neighbors, friends and extended family members.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
