Graveyard and Church

In the eastern section of the aforementioned ecclesiastical enclose lies a notable graveyard, which is enveloped by a two-hundred-year-old dry stone wall. This wall dates back to when the Buchanan family were the owners of the land. This graveyard is thought to be where the monastery would have provided burial for its monks. It’s not clear whether the graveyard also provided land for paying lay people to be buried there also, but it is a possibility. Various stone markers are scattered around the site, suggesting that burial grounds could have been used for unbaptised children as late as the nineteenth century. The main centre of the ecclesiastical site was the church; however, the church has proved difficult to date. However, it is possible that the stones from the church were used in the construction of the 200-year-old wall, as these stones are large enough to suggest that they came from the church (Michigan State University, 2009). It’s also worth noting that Joyce (1999, p 92) remarks that there is another division of the ecclesiastical site (this time located internally) separating what is thought to be the holiest part of the site, from the remainder.

References:

1.     Joyce, B. (1999). ‘Early Ecclesiastical Site at Farburren, Parish of Oughaval, Co. Mayo.’ Cathair na Mart: Journal of the Westport Historical Society. Journal 19. pp 91-92, and pp 94-95.

2.   Michigan State University, Study Abroad Programme. (2009). Graveyard and Church. Internal Report: Folder 4, Croagh Patrick Heritage Trail—Clogher Environmental Group Ltd. Unpublished.