Cemetery: ESKER Parish [v3-p437-441] *********************************************** Ireland Genealogy Projects Archives Dublin Index Copyright ************************************************ File contributed by: C. Hunt & M. Taylor ESKER PARISH [From Lord Walter FITZGREALD, V.P. R.S.A.I.] 'This churchyard is situated one mile to the south-east of Lucan. Large proportions of the north, south and west walls are still standing; but except for one ogee-headed, double-lighted window in the south wall, no features of interest are left in them. Portion of a double-belfry tops the western gable, up which run two buttresses. The church is long and very narrow for its length. What may have been the chancel is level with the ground. 'Lying in the west end of the church ruins is a large slab, which was smashed, about four years ago by the fall of a portion of the belfry. into five or six different pieces; it was placed over the grave of Rev. J McCARTAN, who was killed by highway men in 1807 about a quarter mile along the Dublin road from Lucan; the spot is marked by a large slab built into the wall by the roadside (for the inscription on it, see under "Lucan") On the slab over the grave is the inscription':- "Gloria in excelsis Deo. + Memento I H S Mori. The United Parishes of Lucan and Palmerstown Erected this Tomb Stone over the Mortal Remains of the Revd. James McCARTAN R.C. Curate of said Parishes as a grateful tribute of their Respect for and as a lasting Monument of their sincere Regret of the loss of that Worthy Clergyman by whose death Society was deprived of a Valuable Member and Religion of her most Zealous Minister. Lamentable to add He fell a Victim to the ...... sacrilegious hands of a sanguinary Banditi by whom he was robbed and murdered on the Hill of Lucan on the 3rd day of June A.D. 1807 and in the 42nd year of his Age. Requiescat in Pace. Amen" (A chalice) [See Lucan Parish] ------ 'On another slab in the west end is inscribed':- "Here lies the Remains of the Revd. John KYAN who discharged the duty of a Faithful Shepherd 35 years in Leixlip & and the united Parishes after a long life of Piety & Virtue. He entered upon ye Reward of his Actions, May 18, 1750 The Revd. James KYAN Departed this Life October ye 6th, 1773 in the 32nd year of his Age. A Christian. A Christian." 'In the east end of the church ruin is a flat slab to a Protestant clergyman':- "Here lyeth the Body of the late Revd. Wm. PERCY who died 12 ....... 179...in the 62nd year of his Age Respected by all who knew him and lamented by every Friend." ------ 'On another slab in the east end, now broken in two, is the following':- This stone was erected by Bryan HACKET of Grange, County Dublin over the Mortal Remains and to the memory of his beloved son, William much deplored by his disconsolate Parints (sic) and Family to whom he had always shown a pattern of Morality and source of comfort. he was through Life respected and at death regretted by all his acquaintance. was almost suddenly but not unprovidedly snatched from them in the 31st years of his Age on the 16th November, 1823. Also to the Memory of two infant Boys." ------ 'On a headstone. now laying flat':- + "Memento I H S Mori. This stone was Erected by Iohn TAYLOR of the City of Dublin, Bricklayer in Memory of his Father & Mother Abraham TAYLOR & Margt Old inhabitants of Esker who lys inter'd here Also two of sd Iohns children, Iohn and Margaret." ------ 'On a granite headstone':- " I H S This Stone was Erected by Christopher TOOLE for him and his posterity Ianuary 11th 1764 Here lyeth the Body of Anne TOOLE Daughter of the above mentioned Age 9 years." ------ 'A headstone':- This Stone and Burial Place Belongs to Mr. James JACOB, cloathier of Braithwith Street and his Posterity. Here lyeth the body of his Father, Mr. Patrick JACOB who died the 26th of December 1756 aged 66 years, here also lyeth 17 of his children and 6 grandchildren. Requiescant in Pace." ------ 'A headstone':- " I H S This Stone was Erected here by INo (John?) JACOB of Ormond Market in ye City of Dublin Dealer in memory of his Ancers Here lieth the Body of Mr. RICHD IACOB of Raheen in the County of Kildare who Departed this life 17th March 1733 Aged 63 years and also CATRINE SHERLOCK, wife of the above who departed this Life 15th July 1746 aged 72 with 4 of their children Margret, Wm., James & Bridget, also INO IACOB who died 17th April 1776 aged 60 years. Requiescant in Pace." At the back of this headstone is inscribed':- Remember man as you pass by as you are now so once was I. as I am now so you must be, prepare for death & follow me." ------ 'On a headstone':- "Gloria in excelsis Deo. + Memento I H S Mori. Here lieth the remains of Mr. Robert RAFFERTY who departed this life on the 22 of November 1805. Aged 59 years." ------ 'A table-tomb':- This stone was erected by Hester GERAGHTY in memory of her dear Parents William GERAGHTY 23rd Decr 1800 and who depard this life Hester GERAGHTY 29th Apl 1808 alias NOWLAN And of her Ancestors Richd NOWLAN - 22nd Feby 1724 Jane NOWLAN 29th Jany 1730 alias WALSH Mary NOWLAN 6th Octr 1760 alias QUIN and Patk NOWLAN 27th Novr 1777 and of her Sisters Mary, Hester, Catherine & JaneRequiescant in Pace." ------ 'A headstone':- "Gloria in excelsis Deo. + I H S This stone was erected to the Memory of the Revd. Thomas SYNNOTT who departed this life May 27th 1809 in the 32nd year of his Age. Here lies entombed in Manhoods' perfect prime The Good, the Pious and the Learned Divine, The Steady Christian and the Sincere Friend. Whatever Man could wish or Heaven could send. Obedient to God's will he was resigned Full well he knew that Dust to Dusts consigned. Firm in Belief in religious steps he trod, Hoping to reign eternally with God. All you who do these simple lines descry, Think on his virtues and by him learn to die." ------ + I. H. S. Here lyeth the Body of Mr. Patrick NANGLE of Church-street, Vintner, who departed this life the 14th December 1788 Aged 34 years. Also here lyeth the Body of Mary his wife who departed this life 28th February 1789 Aged 36 years. Requiescant in Pace. Here also lieth the remains of Mr. Christopher RAFFERTY of Grafton-street in the City of Dublin, Brother-in-law to the abovenamed Patrick NANGLE who departed this life the 16th day of June 1806 aged 49 years. O Parent Ever dear, much honored Shade, Whose cold Remains within the Tomb are laid. What tho' translated from a life of pain To where unfading Joys ever reign; Thy wife, the children, ever must deplore The loss of him their tears cannot restore." [A table tomb] _______ 'The last few lines in the above inscription are all but illegible.' Source Journal of the Association for the Preservation of the Memorials of the Dead in Ireland vol. 3 1895-1897 (FHL # 1426205)