Cemetery: BallmacWilliam Churchyard *********************************************** Ireland Genealogy Projects Archives Offaly (Kings) Index Copyright ************************************************ File contributed by: C.Hunt & Jacquie Liddiard BALLMACWILLIAM CHURCHYARD, COUNTY OFFALY (KINGS) [From Lord Walter FitzGerald) This churchyard lies by the side of the public road leading to Road from Edenderry, and three miles to the west of the latter place. Considerable remains of the church ruins still stand; but, as far as one can see through the growth of heavy ivy, no windows remain intact. A doorway, with a pointed arch of cut stonework, is situated at the west end of the south wall. The interior of the ruins is choked up with elder bushes. There are numerous headstones in the churchyard, but the older ones are overgrown with ivy. Inside the ruins, at the west end, lies a large slab bearing the following inscription : + HIS This Monument was Erected by Mrs. Elizabeth Dowell in Memory of her Niece Anne Hogan, who Departed this Life August yr 17th 1778 Aged 10 yrs Derservedly beloved while in the Life, and Died Universally Lamented. Also in Memory of her Sister Elenor Delamare, who Departed this Life December yr 25th 1778, Aged 38. Also in Memory of James Delamare, who Departed this life August the 20th 1795, Aged 20 years. Also in Memory of her Father Walter Delamare who departed this Life January the 4th 180-, Aged 61 years. Lord have Mercy on their souls Amen. _______________ Close to this slab is another, which, though bearing no inscription, has a large coat-of-arms cut in bold relief on it. The shield is surrounded with "lambrequin"; above it is a helmet, surmounted by a falcon, with expanded wings. The shield bears two coats-of-arms. In the dexter half there is a lion rampant between three crescents, an estoiler issuant form each, over all a fess. In the sinister half is a fret. 'Mr G D Burtchaell, Athlone Pursuivant-at-Arms, informs me that the arms in the dexter half of the shield are those of Dillon. of Riverstown Co. Meath.' ________________ By the north wall, inside the ruins, is a large table tomb, bearing and inscription, which is completely hid under a slab placed face downwards on it. ________________ Source: Journal of the Association for the Preservation of the Memorials of the Dead in Ireland Vol. IX (FHL# 1279285)