Pauline Scott
Memento mori, box tombs, early Christian slabs and Gaelic Revival crosses, some of the varied and interesting features of the memorials in Ardcarne Graveyard, were illustrated by archaeologist Mary Timoney at a well-attended illustrated talk in Ardcarne Church on Saturday night last.
Guests were welcomed to the event by Tony Bambrick, who welcomed Cllr. Rachel Doherty and John Cummins, Mary Timoney and her husband Martin and David and Dorothy Gillespie, who he thanked for making the church available for the talk. He remembered five former members of the Ardcarne Graveyard committee, which was founded 18 years ago.
Mary Timoney began her talk by outlining that Ardcarne is an early Christian site, and the first mention of a church being built there is 1243. The current church in Ardcarne is an 18th century Church of Ireland and Ms. Timoney’s talk centred on the memorials in the adjacent graveyard.
“I see this as a reflection of the social and economic history of the parish. What is going on outside the walls is reflected inside,” said Ms. Timoney.
Illustrations of early Christian slabs were the first memorials presented to the audience. After these came memorial marking stones and Ms. Timoney also illustrated the box tombs to be seen in the graveyard. Pieces of the medieval church were also used as markers for graves, for example a mullion from a window forms one marker. “By taking the stone they were bringing the sanctity of the church to their family plot,” said Ms. Timoney.
One of the oldest memorials in the graveyard is a McDermott monument, the headstone for which was erected in the 1720s and Ms. Timoney also referred to one of the newer memorials, a memorial to famine victims erected by Canon Tonra.
The number of memorials in the graveyard represent just ten percent of burials, said Ms. Timoney, who added that many of the early 18th century memorials in Ardcarne are of sandstone, while in south Roscommon, limestone is always the preferred stone. The limestone used in Ardcarne has not weathered well.
Memorial stones such as those from Owen Conlon (d. 1720) and Charles McCann (d. 1723) were illustrated by Ms. Timoney and she noted that while in St. Coman’s in Roscommon, trade symbols are evident, they are not found on headstones in north Roscommon.
The earliest stones in the cemetery are to be found under the east window. Most families preferred the south or east of the church. All headstones face east, except the clergy, because they face their congregation. People were very reluctant to use the north side of the church, where the sun didn’t shine.
The Gaelic Revival of the late 18th and early 19th century is also reflected in the memorials in Ardcarne. A memorial Gaelic revival cross for Francie O’Dowd is decorated with interlace and Ms. Timoney noted that sometimes ivy leaf or passionflowers are used.
Other items of interest highlighted by Ms. Timoney included a Gaelic revival cross featuring a concrete figure of Christ commemorating the McGarry family and skull and crossbones symbols, memento mori or reminder of death.
Feely’s started quarrying in the Boyle area in 1780, first near Rockingham and then at Greatmeadow. In the 20th century most of the local quarries closed and stone is now sourced from a large quarry near Newport, Co. Mayo and Feelystone also uses limestone from Co. Kilkenny.
Ms. Timoney also discussed the prevalence of the IHS symbol. It is very much a Catholic symbol, but was in common usage in Ardcarne, unlike areas such as Sligo, where it is much rarer.
Tribute was paid to the work of the local graveyard committee, not just in cleaning the graveyard, but also in compiling a list of graves and grave markers.
The language on grave memorials is almost always in English, even in the Gaeltacht areas. In the 18th and 19th century a lot of priests would have preferred their inscriptions in Latin, and from the start of the Gaelic revival in the late 1880s, Irish is found occasionally on inscriptions.
The work of stonemason John Travers from Co. Wexford was also discussed. He worked occasionally for Feely’s in Boyle. A native of Gorey, he lived in Bunclody. “John would only last so many weeks and he would have to go then, but he was a very good stone carver. His father was a cobbler who was married to the daughter of a stone mason family. She decided there was more money in stone than shoes, so she taught him to carve and all their sons were stone masons.” Ms. Timoney told guests that John Travers always wore a long tweed coat and is remembered as always having money in his pocket.
At the conclusion of the lecture, guests were addressed by Mayor of Roscommon Luke ‘Ming’ Flanagan, who said that the graveyard was an absolute credit to the community and concluded by saying that it was ironic that an atheist and non-funeral attender was speaking at the event!
Events Dairy
Garden furniture
The massive end of season garden furniture sale continues at Ardcarne Plantsplus Garden Centre, Boyle until 29th August. There’s up to 70 percent off top quality garden furniture sets in teak, granite and easy care aluminium. All display models must go! Selected pottery and giftware also half price. Tel: (071) 96 67091.
Foot health
Anne Marie Connaughton is a fully qualified and insured foot health practitioner. Services offered include: Nails trimmed; thick nails reduced; ingrown nail; corn removal; callus reduction; verruca treatment, fungal infections, foot health check and diabetes advice. She offers a range of services in Roscommon from Monday to Friday, telephone (086) 0666605. Strictly by appointment only.
Well done
North Roscommon Athletic Club this week congratulated two local athletes, Ruth Cox from Mockmoyne who came in first in the 200 metres and Saoirse Wynne from Rockingham for her performance in the 80 metres at the National Community Games on Sunday last in Athlone. Well done girls from all in the Club!
Musical Society
Rehearsals for Boyle Musical Society’s forthcoming production of ’Sweet Charity’ will begin on Monday August 30th in St. Joseph’s Hall at 8.30 pm.
Show Dance
Boyle Show Dance takes place on Saturday 28th August in St Joseph’s Hall Boyle, doors open at 9.30 pm with full bar, music by the very popular Mike Denver followed by DJ Dermot, entrance €15.
Summer Show
Boyle Summer Show takes place on Sunday, Aug 29th. Opening parade from Family Life Centre at 2 pm including vintage cars and samba band. All local businesses, associations and clubs are encouraged to participate by putting in a float, contact Denis Dodd on (086) 3105528. Show Schedules detailing all competition classes competitions, are now available in Úna Bhán Tourism Craft Shop in the grounds of King House, Boyle.
Golf Classic
Boyle Golf Club will hold a Charity Classic in aid of the Tommy Simon Fund on the weekend of Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th of September 2010. A 3 Ball Rumble will take place. €75 per team this also includes a meal, Re-entry €10 per person, please come along and support.
Calendar project
‘Day by Day in the Life’ is a Project for a themed 2011 Family Life Centre Calendar. Open invitation to submit images that reflect themes proposed by staff & service users. Themes will include: Love, faith, joy, sharing, sadness, help, forgiveness, warmth, trust, openness, compassion, hope, temptation, self, time, children, receiving, peace, relaxation, giving, celebration, charity, resilience, encouragement.
Badminton Club
Boyle Badminton Club will be back for the new season in Boyle Sports Complex from Monday 6th September at 9.30 pm. Club Nights, Mondays from 9.30 to 11.30pm and Thursday 9 pm to 11 pm. New members are always very welcome and coaching is available to beginners and to those who may not have played for a while. Please contact boylebadminton@gmail.com or view the website at www.boylebadminton.blogspot.com.
First aid
A course in basic first aid will take place on Friday, 24th September, from 9.30 am to 5 pm at the Family Life Centre, Boyle. Cost €60. Trainer: James McLoughlin, Absolute Safety. Telephone (071) 96 63000, booking essential.
Mindfulness
A course in Mindfulness takes place in the Family Life Centre, Boyle, on Wednesday 15th September for eight weeks from 7.30 pm to 9.30 pm. Costs €80 and the facilitator is Tom Creaven. Booking essential, phone (071) 96 63000.
Discover Boyle Day
Discover Boyle Day aims to raise the awareness of the tourism potential of the Boyle region and highlight the range of product offerings including visitor attractions, dining, entertainment and activities. The afternoon of Sunday 3rd October 2010, 2 pm to 6 pm, will essentially be one large familiarisation visit for the people of the area and its surrounds to become familiar with what is on offer on our doorstep and in turn act as ambassadors for the region to domestic and overseas visitors. Meetings are being held at the moment to finalise arrangements. More information later as details become available.
