Acaun Graveyard
- Images of Acaun
©Andy Goss 2012
- Map images are from OSI maps
Three head stones were legible. They are
as follows:
Edward Fitzsimmons who died at 73 yrs. old-date not legible.
Richard Healy (died 1799) and his wife, Judith (d. 1795)
Finally one with the surname of Linnen (Sp?).
Based on the type of font and the type of
stone, I think all three were from around the late 1700's. Other
stones looked much older.
There were many more stones visible and
hidden, but in very poor condition.
Click here to see the cemetery as it
looks today:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/gossie/
I hope someone finds this little bit of
information helpful.
Source: Cathy Goss 2012
The following was provided by Sue Clement 2012
From the "Journal of the Association for the Preservation of the
Memorials of the Dead," 1904 (transcribed as printed)
Acaun Churchyard
[From Lord Walter FitzGerald]
This churchyard is situated on the right bank of the Derreen
river, a short distance above Acaun Bridge. Near it are
extensive traces of foundations of buildings, which are said to
have been a monastery. The people in the locality speak of a
holy well into which treasure was thrown, and the well filled
up, in Cromwell's time: but they do not know to whom it was
dedicated.
Only the foundations of Acaun Church now exist. A long granite
stone, 56 inches in length, now serves as a headstone to a grave
in the church ruins.
It appears, by the way it is cut, to be a door-lintel, and has a
projecting band running round its square head.
The oldest inscribed tombstones are of modern date. The first of
the two inscriptions which follow are copied from stones inside
the church ruins:
JPMD, Vol VI, Issue 1904 -05 - 1906, CARLOW, Page 430
-
This Stone is Erected by Jacob Jackfon
-
for Him Self & his Family
-
Here Lyeth
the bodys of James Jackfon
-
Who Departd this Life Febry the 6th 1760
-
AGd 89
-
and Ann Jackfon his Wife Departd Septmbr, the 22d
1768
-
AGd 87
-
Here Lyeth the Body of George White
-
Who Departed this Life the 28 Day of July 1771
-
AGd 55 years ~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
On a flat slab, in the east end, faintly cut, is inscribed:
+
I.H.S.
-
This tomb was erected in Memory of Mr
Bryan Coogan
-
of Williamstown County Carlow, &
-
His wife Mary Coogan alias Drumgoold,
-
& their Family, July 11th 1808
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
On a headstone of granite near the above:
-
Here lyeth ye Bodys of
-
Meary & Terance & William Noland
-
who departed this life Sept ye 17th
-
Aged 37 in 1740
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
On a granite headstone to the east of the ruins:
+
I H S
-
Here lyeth ye Body of Gerald Keoghoe
-
Decd Nov. ye 2nd
-
Aged 87, 1757
-
The remainder of the stone is
underground.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
There are three (if not more) granite boulders, broader at the
top than at the foot, bearing, in relief, crosses of four arms
in a circle with long shafts. One is lying flat, and two are
being used as headstones. They resemble "Abbot's slabs."
Close to Acaun Bridge, on the Haroldstown Townland, is a very
good specimen of a "Giant's Grave" or "Druid's Altar."
The name "Acaun" is an Irish word, said to mean a "small ford."
Source:
Sue Clement 2012
http://www.susiewarren.com.au/co_carlow_jpmd_acaun.htm
