Headstones Kilcolumb Glenmore

Surrounding the ruins of Kilcolumb Church, Rathinure, Glenmore is its graveyard. In the 1960’s Danny Dowling (1927-2021) recorded the inscriptions on the headstones. These inscriptions were recorded in DD Notebook 29 and are provided below. Danny also recorded comments on the location and condition of some of the headstones. Danny numbered some of the headstones, and we numbered the later entries. Any materials enclosed in square brackets [ ] was not found in Danny’s notebook and have been added by the editor for clarity or to provide information.

“Kilcolumb Graveyard–Recorded the following headstones on Ascension Thursday, 23^rd May 1963. A beautiful, sunny and warm day with a slight breeze. The first nice day of this year.”

Stone outside entrance at side of gateway [facing gate to the left of entry gate].

KILCOLLUM CHURCH
1735
[This is the year the church was converted to Protestant use.]

1. Erected by Ellen Mullally of Grogan in memory of her husband Richard Mullally died Sept. 25^th 1882, Aged 68 years        R.I.P.
   
   [Richard Mullally (c.1814-1882) (farmer) aged 68, of Grogan died on 25 Sept. 1882 at home. His son James Mullally was present (Death Register)]
   
2. Erected by James Mullaly of Davidstown, in memory of his brother John, died 15^th October 1898 aged 49 years. Also his sister Mary died 23 Aug. 1898, aged 47 years. His sister Bridget died 16^th Jan. 1922 aged 72 years The above James Mullally died 9^th Nov. 1922, aged 73
   
   [John Mullally (c.1851 -1898) of Davidstown, bachelor, aged 47 (farmer), died 11 Oct. 1898, of an accidental death when he fell into a well. Brother, James Mullally present (Death Register); Mary Mullally (c.1855-1898) of Davidstown, spinster, aged 43, died 3^rd Aug. 1898, of rheumatism, brother James Mullally present at death (Death Regsiter); Bridget Mullally (c. 1846 -1922) of Davidstown, spinster, age 76, died 26 January 1922. Thomas Mullally of Parkstown present (Death Register).]
   
3. Erected by Thomas Mullally Parkstown, in loving memory of his father Richard who died 24^th April 1921 aged 63 years His aunt Bridget died 1^st Jan. 1895, aged 27 And her [his?] grandfather Thomas Mullally died Sept. 1875 aged 53
   (Above 3 stones together in west side of cemetery at upper side of gate.)
   
   [Thomas Mullally (c. 1821-1878) of Parkstown, married, farmer, aged 57 died 16 Sept.1878 of “inward pain.” Pat Mullally present (Death Register); Bridget Mullally (c.  1864-1895) of Parkstown, spinster, aged 31 died 30^th Dec. 1895 of consumption (TB). Richard Mullally brother present (Death Register); Richard Mullally (c. 1858-1921) of Parkstown, married, farmer, aged 63 died 23 April 1921. (Death Register).]
   
4. Erected by Morthy Scanlan in memory of his father Pat Scanlan who died June 1781 aged ? Also his wife Mary Scanlan who died May 7, 1785 aged 67
   (Above stone badly decayed, hardly legible. Stone leaning sideways.)
   
5. This stone was erected by John and James Aylward, in memory of their father Rich’d Aylward who dep’d this life Dec. 24, 1826 aged 81 years
   (Above a big tall square stone.)
   
6. This stone was erected by Owen ? of Ballyquin, in memory of ? O’Neil who departed ???  May 1792 (This stone in good condition, partly underground)
   
7. This stone was erected by Rich’d Grace in memory of his father John who dep’d this life April ye 10^th 1717 or 1777 aged 66 years
   (Chip off this stone which doesn’t make it easy to say whether it is 1717 or 1777. Fourth in line from laneway.)
   
8. Erected by John Grace in memory of his father Edmond who dep’d this life April the10, 1816 aged 66
   years.
   (Above stone well cut. Slanted. 5^th in line from laneway, and 2^nd from church).
   
9. Here lies the body of Margaret Finn   Dec’ed     Ye 7^th of April 1759 aged 65
   (Home made stone 1 ¼  feet in width and slanted-2feet high over ground, next to church wall.
   
10. Erected by Luke Gaule in memory of his father Laurence Gaule who dep‘d this life Dec’er 25 1790 aged 50 Also the body of his mother Mary Gaule who dep’d this life June 6^th  1794 aged 53 yrs
    (Above stone on NW side of gable of church)
    
11. Erected by John Rielly of the City of Waterford in Feb’ry 1800 in memory of his father Tho’s Rielly and his mother Mary Rielly also brothers and sisters
    
12. This stone was erected by Patrick Myler of the city of Waterford in memory of his daughter Margaret dep’d this life 13^th Nov. 1792 aged 25 years & grandchildren3 of _____ & 4  _____ who died young (Above stone NW of church gable at ditch)
    
13. A small crude quarry stone with no inscription. A grave marker stone
    
14. Here lyeth bod of Patrick Brazel who depart in the year 1773 aged 62 yrs   Also his wife Eleanor B___ otherwise E___r N____ died 1791 aged 80 yrs.
    (Above is a piece of stone 3 feet high and 1 ¼ feet wide sunk in ground on NW side of graveyard, near ditch.)
    
15. Erected by Joana Muphy alias Milar in memory of her husband Terence Murphy who dep’d this life Nov’ber 28th 1808 ag’d 39 yrs.  3 of her children Michael, Joana & Luke Murphy died young
    (Above stone in same area as previous ones in NW corner.)
    
16.  Here lieth the body of  Rich’d Aylward dep’d June 29^th, 1760, aged 50 yrs Also his wife Margaret Ayl’d alias Cody dep’d August 10^th 1792 aged 64 yrs
    (Above square stone situated in NW corner of churchyard.)
    
17. Erected by John O’Bryan of the city of Waterford, in Feb’ry 1800 in memory of his father Darby O’Bryan and mother Anstis O’Bryan also his sister Honora O’Bryan   Also his daughter Honora O’Bryan who died young
    (Above stone in NW of graveyard outside gable of church.)
    
18.      _____ Ml ___      ____________MP ______ aged 53
    (This is a crude piece of quarry stone sunk in ground on SE of gate along by laneside.)
    
19. Erected by Patrick Murphy in memory of his __________posterity _____ 1804
    (This stone on SE side of gate, alongside previous mentioned stone.)
    
20. Erected to the memory of Patrick O’Connor who dep’d this life March 19^th 1829 aged 70 years Also his beloved wife Bridget O’Connor alias Coady who dep’d this life March 17^th 1822 aged 56 years Also their daughter Ellen who dep’d this life August 10^th 1825 aged 20 years and their son Michael who dep’d this life March 14^th 1827 aged 24 years
    (Some inscription under ground on this stone situated beside previous stone.)

DD Notebook 29, p. 7

[This work per the last paragraph on the last page was recorded on 24 Nov. 1968. Danny did not number the stones as he did in the previous entry. Numbers have been added in square brackets.]

[21] Here lieth the body of Michael Foley who died February 1738 aged 15 years
(This stone is an ordinary quarry flag situated about 9 feet from lower gate pier entrance.)

[22] Here lieth ye body of Andrew White who died Nov’er 11^th 1772 aged 29 years 
Ye Lord have mercy on his soul
(This stone is one foot from previous one on same line nearer to church ruins)

[23] Gloria in Excelsis Deo Erected by James Phelan in memory of his brother Patrick Phelan who dep’t
this life Dec. 20^th 1818 aged 27 years also his sister Margaret Phelan who dep’d this life July 1^st, 1812
aged 21 years
(This stone large slab type in good condition situated 10 feet from laneway, lower side of gateway.
Almost opposite lower entrance of church).

[24] Here lies ye body of Catherine Murphy who died June 17^th 1778 aged 38 yrs Ye Lord have mercy on
her soul
 (This stone situated in sunken condition alongside previous stone nearer to church).      

[25] Erected by William Maher late of Ballyvaren in memory ___ his father Denis Maher who departed this
life January 6^th 1795 aged 71 years
 (This stone in good condition large slab but collapsed on its face. On same line from previous 2
stones but nearer to church ruins.)

  [26] Erected by Patrick Maher late of Ballerowary in memory of Michael Maher who departed this life           Aug’t 14^th 1805 aged 35 years Ellen Maher departed in the year 1792 aged 52 years
   (This stone upright slab alongside previous ones, nearer to church ruins)

[27] Erected by John Aylward in memory of his father James Aylward who dep’d this live Dec’r 28^th 1784
ag’d 50 yrs also his mother Antice Aylward alias Magr’th dep’d this life May 9^th 1789 ag’d 48 yrs
Also his sister Catherine Aylward alias Bulg? who dep’d this life Jan 6^th 1780 aged 27 years
(This is a good size slab face downwards situated about 5 yards from existing ruins in the third line S
East of the entrance path. Adjoins another stone.)

[28] Adjoining above stone is an Aylward one, but cannot be read owing to collapse.)

[29] Erected by Eleanor Archdeacon alias Greace in memory of her husband Rich’d Archdeacon who dep’d
this life Dec’r  ye 24^th 1797 ag’d 52 yrs also his father & mother and sister
(This stone alongside wall of church in same row or line as previous stones of Aylward.)

[30] Here lieth the body of Richard Mullally who died November 9^th 1772 aged 62 years Lord have mercy
on his soul
(This is a slab type and looks like a home carved effort. In line with previous unmarked stone.)

[31] Here lieth ye body of Andr’ Walsh who died Ju 29^th1780 age 40 years Here lieth ye body of
Catherine Connors
(Above stone in line with previous two stones)

[32] Here lieth the body of John Cody who departed ye life June 26^th 1753 ag’d 63 years Also his
granddau’r Margaret Power who departed Apr 22^nd 1776 aged 33 Also two of children who died
young
(Above stone slab in line with previous ones 4 yards from church ruins)

[33] Erected by Elenor Archdecan alias Greace in memory of her uncle in law the Rev. Father Rich’d
Archdecan who dep’d this life Oct. ye 26^th 1775 ag’d 76 yrs Also his father, mother & sisters
Requiescant in Pace
(Above stone slab at corner of east gable pf church at lane side.)

[34] Here lieth the body of Mr. Rich’d Walsh late of Nicholatown who departed this life Jan the 8^th 1771
aged 15 yrs Also the body of Mrs. Mary Shee alias Ronayne wife to Mr. Mathew Shee of Nicholastown
who departed this life the 15^th of June aged ____   yrs   Also the body of Matthew  O’Shee Esq late
of Nicholastown and husband to the above Mary Ronayne who departed this life 29^th of Jan’y 1813
aged 74 years May the Lord have mercy on their souls. Amen
(Slab at east gable of church),

[35] Here lyeth the body of James O’Brien who dep’d this life Dec’r 13^th 1792 aged 35 years

[36] The body of Minnes Hynes who dep’d this life July 15 1722 aged 52 years
(This is a flat slab at East end of gable)

[37] One slab not decipherable east gable                           R O’Keefe

[38] In memory of Mrs Mary Harte (née Culleton) Miltown, Templeorum died 10^th Nov. 1929 aged 79
     Also her parents Michael & Ellen Culleton and her brothers James & Walter and her son John Harte
died ______ 19__ AD RIP   R O’Keefe
(Above a modern stone)

[39] Erect’d  by John Bolger in memory of his father James Bolger who de’d this life 14^th Oct 1809 ag’d yrs

[40] Erected by Marks Bryan in memory of his mother Mary Bryan who dep’d this life Jan’y ye 12^th 1790
aged 63 years

[41] Erected by Martin O’Brien of Waterford in memory of his father Cornelius died June 2^nd 1881 aged
70 years and his mother Ellen died March 11^th 1849 aged 30 years
(This stone has fallen in 4 parts-R O’Keefe)

[42] Erected by Mich’l Murphy_____ of his beloved wife, Mary Murphy who dep’d this life 22^nd of March
1840 aged 55 year
(Above stone large in same line nearer to laneway)

[43] Erected by Edm’d & Patrick Doyle in memory of their father Tho’s Doyle who dep’d this life Febr’y 9^th
1803 ag’d 68 yrs
(Above upright stone 7 yards from laneway same line)

[44] Erec’d by Marks Welsh in memory of his son Patrick Welsh who dep’d this life April ye 2^nd 1795 aged
20 yrs

[45] Erected by Edmond Cody Ballycrony Glenmore in memory of his father Richard Cody who died 17^th
Jan 1886 aged 62 years and his mother Catherine Cody who died ^st Aug 1888 aged 60 year Also his
brothers Patrick who died 1^st Nov 1892 aged 38 years Maurice who died 17^th Jan 1927  aged 60
years and the above Edmond Cody who died 25^th Dec 1939 aged 80 years
(This stone inside church ruins near east gable_

[46] Erected by John Barden in memory of his father John Barden who dep’d this life Nov’r 17^th 1793
aged 43 yrs
(Above stone inside church near east gable)

[47] Erec’d by James Sullivan in memory of his father Joseph Sullivan who dep’d 5^th April 1809  ag’d 75
yrs  also his mother Catherine Sullivan  alias Smyth dep’d 16^th March 1796 ag’d 44 yrs  Also his son
Peter Sullivan dep’d 20^th Aug 1813 ag’d 14 yrs And his son Patrick Sullivan died May 6^th 1879 ag’d
  65 yrs and his son Tho’s Sullivan dep’d Feb 17^th 1891 ag’d 84 yrs
This stone is erected___ James Sullivan son Tho’s Sullivan  of Keokuk Iowa USA
(This stone against W gable)

[James O’Sullivan was baptized at Slieverue, (13 May 1767) son of Joseph O’Sullivan and his wife
Catherine Smyth; other children include: John O’Sullivan (bapt. 7 June 1772) at Rathpatrick,
Slieverue; Andrew O’Sullivan (bapt 21 Apr 1775); Daniel Sullivan (bapt. 3 Aug 1777); Michael
O’Sullivan (bapt. 30 Sept 1779); Richard O’Sullivan (bapt. 9 June 1782) (Slieverue Parish Records)]

[Thomas Sullivan (c. 1807 -1891) of Ballybeg, Tullogher, aged 84, labourer, died 17 Feb. 1891. His
daughter Margaret Sullivan present (Death Register).]

[48] The stone is erected by M’l Kennedy of Waterford to the memory of Elizabeth his wife Here lieth the
body of Elizabeth Kennedy alias Aylward alias Phelan who departed this life 28^th Jan’y 1794
Do Thou her soul from sins deliver who art the only pardon giver  __ she rest in peace Amen

(Today 24^th Nov. 1968 was a nice, sunny day but the grass was a bit wet from previous rain. Inn Kilcollim (sic) there was good shelter. Johnny Boland was with me there from 11:45 am to 4:30 pm. A couple of stones remain to be done.)

[The end of DD Notebook 29]

A 1991 video of Danny Dowling discussing Kilcolumb is available here.

See our post of 24 January 2024 for Canon Carrigan’s brief history of Kilcolumb Church.

See our post of 28 October 2023 regarding the townland of Rathinure.