Cemetery & Graveyard Transcriptions
Killashee Graveyard, Killashee, Naas, Co. Kildare
For an examination of the archaeology and history of the ancient ecclesiastical foundation at Killashee, see The Earth Moved at Killashee, by Brian Mc Cabe, in the Articles section.
Killashee Graveyard
By Brian Mc Cabe
The transcribing of the inscriptions on the headstones in the old graveyard around the church of Killashee was carried out in two phases.
The first was in the summer of 1997 as part of a survey carried out for the Naas Local History Group. At that time, the graveyard was extremely overgrown and it was clear that, although all accessible headstones had been recorded, it was likely that other stones were hidden or buried. Following clearance work, prior to proposed development in 2008, some further headstones were uncovered and their inscriptions were added to the record.
The combined texts of the inscriptions are set out below, in alphabetical order. However it is possible that further stones may still remain buried or yet to be discovered.
An analysis of one of the more interesting stones [Kelly – no 27 Click for Photo] was carried out by A.K Longfield [Mrs H.G.Leask] in Volume XIII of the Journal (pp 133/4). She pointed out that, in this case, the unknown stone mason had not followed iconographical convention in relation to the depiction of the crucifixion, in that he included an ‘infant’ Jesus in the arms of the Mary figure to the left of the cross, in addition to the crucified Jesus figure on the cross itself. On the right hand side of the cross, instead of any of the more usual figures [St John, Mary Magdalen or even a Roman soldier] he has shown an unmistakable Saint Peter (who is not recorded as being present at the crucifixion) complete with sword and an enormous key hanging from his belt.
Killshee Graveyard – Survey
The original survey was undertaken for Naas Local History Group in the of Summer 1997.
Project Team
Brian Mc Cabe assisted by:
Seán Sourke, Niamh & Emer Mc Cabe.
Texts of Inscriptions
1. Erected/ by/ Patrick Behan/ Blackhall/in memory of his beloved mother/Anne Behan/died 19th Decr 1847/aged 63 years/and of his dear father/James Behan/died 17th Feby 1867 aged 75 years/also his brother John/died 25th Dec 1872 aged 46 years/the above Patrick Behan died/25th April 1875 aged 54 years/and his daughter Anne died 31st Decr 1880 aged 24 years/Margaret died 19th Novr 1886/aged 27 years Mary died 22nd Dec/1886 aged 29 years/his wife Margaret died 7th Jany/1889 aged 55 years
2. This stone is erected by Simon Behan/ in memory of his beloved son/ Christopher Behan/ who departed this life July the 27th 1815/ age 15 years/ Also Mary Behan departed (this life)/ February the 1st 1818
Brown – see no 34
3. Here lieth the body/of Catherine Caffery/who departed this life/March ye 28th 1761 aged 38/ Also her son Philip Caffery/decd May ye 12 1770 aged 24
4. This stone and/burial place be/loneth to Chrifty/Carney & his Poftry/where lieth 3 of his/Children his Mother/& Sifter A D 1773
5. This erected in memory of/Mrs Catherine Cook Daug/hter to Mr Barthw Gahan two/mile houfe who Depd this/life ye 26 of March A.D 1815/aged 35/May they rest in peace
6. Erected by/Patrick Downs/Longhouse/in memory of his beloved mother/Anne Downs/Died 15th June 1855 aged 36 years/and of his dear father/Francis Downs/died 19th March 1869 aged 72 years/his daughter Rosey died 30th April/1884 aged 4 weeks and 4 months
7. This stone & burial/place belongeth to/Laurence Drue & his/Pofterity:his son/Michl Drue depard/this life August ye 21st/1768 Age 16 yr
8. In memory of Elizabeth/ Dunn who deptd March/the 4th 1788 erectd by her/son Wm Dunn
9. Here lieth the body of John Dunny/who departed his life April the 6th 1790/Aged 42 years also/of his children/This stone was erected by his wife/Anne Dunny/May he rest in peace Amen
10. Erected by/Matthew Fay of Naas/in memory of his beloved Mother/Mrs Jane Fay/ who died 16th Feb 1839 aged 36 years/also his beloved Father/Mr Patrick Fay/who died on the 20th of August 1858/aged 56 years/And of his sister Maria and/Brother Peter who died in infancy/Also of his beloved son Patrick who/died on the 18th February 1879/aged 22 years/and his Daughter Katie who died 17th/of February 1889 aged 14 years/Also his Brother Edward who died May/8th 1897 aged 65 years
11. Erected/by/Andrew Fay of Newtown/in memory of his beloved Father/Mathew Fay/who died 14th June 1891 aged 64 years/Also of his beloved mother Mary Fay/who departed this life 9th November 1899/aged 68 years
12. This stone Erected by/Ann Feagan in Memory/of her Husband Lawrence/Feagan who depd this/life March the 25th 1810 aged/32 years
13. Erected by Richard Feagan in/Memory of his Parents who lie/buried here James Feagan depar/ted this life the 26th of May 1798/aged 70 years Mary Feagan depar/ted this life the 21st of January 1799/aged 60 years
14. This tomb was Erected by Catherine/Fitzpatrick in Memory of her Beloved/Husband Thomas Fitzpatrick Late of/Newland who departed this life the 29th/Day of December in the year of our Lord/1811Aged 78 Years
Good Christian people hence do not depart
Untill one prayer you offer from your Heart
For these poor souls who stand in Mercy’s need
To Christ who for them on a cross did Bleed
15. This Stone was Erected by/Iohn Fitzpatrick of Johnstown/in memory of his beloved wife/Ann Fitzpatrick who Departed this life the 28th day of Sept 1822/aged 29 years
16. Here lies the Body of/Nicholas Flanagan who/Depd this life the 4th of/April 1777 Aged 60 yrs
17. Sacred to the Memory/of/John Henry Fock Baron de Robeck/ Knight of the Royal Swedish Military Order/of the Sword/who departed this life/on the 22nd day of September/ in the year of our Lord 1817/aged 64 years
18. Sacred to the memory of/John Michael Henry Fock Baron de Robeck D.L/who died 30th September 1856/and of his wife/Emily Elizabeth Baroness de Robeck/who died 21 March 1859
Gahan –see no 5
19. In loving memory of Geoffrey John Gardner Died 7th July 1957
20. This stone was erected by/Thomas Geoghegan Stonecutter of/Naas in memory of his beloved wife/Mary Geoghegan who departed this/life 19th October 1818 aged 23 years/Also here lieth the body of her father/Edward Mc Danniel who departed/this life 22nd August 1797 aged 51 years
21. This stone and/burial place be/longs to Iames /Hannah [No Date]
Hayes – see no 43
22. Erected by Stephen Healy in/memory of his father Stephen/Healy who deptd this life Augt/ ye 6 1814 aged 90 alfo his mother/Ann Healy deptd ye 27 May/1807 aged 70
23. Erected by/Thomas Higgins/of Cradoxtown/in memory/of his beloved wife Mary/who departed this life Octr 4th 1871/aged 56 Years
24. This stone and Burial Place/belongeth to Patrick Hughes of/ Naas and his Posterity Here/lieth the bodie of 1 of his/children A D 1783
25. Here lieth the body/of Ioan Hyland who/departed this life April/ the 8th in the year of our/Lord 1767 aged 63 years/also Daniel Hyland/her son who departed/this life May the 17th A D 1769 aged 30 years
26. Here lieth the/body of Domni(ck)/Keaton who de/parted this life/May the 1ft 1770/aged 60 yr alfo/his daughter/Efter Keaton/departed this/life Febr 7th 1771/aged 28 yrs
27. This monument is/erected by John/Kelly in memory of/his father Petor Kelly/who departed this/life July the 21st 1777/aged 67 years May his foul rest in pace/Amen Also his mother/Briget Kelly Alias/ TOOL
28. [Here lyeth/the Body of/ Patrick Kelly/who died/Feby 6th 1767/Aged 41 yrs/God Rest/his Soul/]
29. This stone was erected by Mr/Thos Kelly of Thos Street in the/ City of Dublin Tobacconist in/memory of his father Mr Thos/Kelly who departed this life/the 8th of October 1779 aged 90/years
30. Here lieth the body of Stephen/Kelly who departed this life/Febry ye 10th 1770 aged 46 and/of Margaret Kelly his mother/ who depard this life Febry ye/15th 1770 aged 73
Good Chrifts all that passeth by/as you are now so was I/
As I am now so shall you be/Dear Christs all pray for me
31. Here lieth the/body of Miles/Keogh who de/parted this life/ Auguft the 29th 1771/aged 63 years/also his daughter/Anaftafia Keogh who/departed this life/August the 19th 1768/aged 19 years
32. This stone erected by Thady/Kilroy of Naas in memory of his/ wife Mary who Departed this/life the 29th of December 1798/ aged 50 years Also here lieth/the body of his son Thomas who/ Departed this life the 1 day of/November 1797 aged 27 years
33. Erected by/Alexander Love of Oldtown/in memory of/his infant son George Bell/who died 11th Feb 1866/aged 17 months
34.Erected by Mr Alexander Love Oldtown/in memory of his beloved wife/Mrs Margaret F. Brown/who departed this life 18 August 1868/aged 33 years
35. This stone was erected by/Dennis Magrath in memory of his/ father Peter Magrath who departed this/life 11th July 1786/ aged 66 years
36. Erected by/Mary Anne Mc Grath/in memory of her beloved husband/Richard McGrath/who died 19th June 1879/Aged 79 years
37. Erected/by/James Marshall of Naas/in memory of his beloved son/ Benjamin/who died Decr 12th 1857/aged 13 years/the above named Jas Marshall/died 21st Decr 1859/aged 56 years/his son James died 24th Augt 1862/aged 30 years
38. This stone was erected by Patrick/Morgan of Kevin Street City of/ Dublin Baker for himself and Family/ Here lieth the Body of Anstase his/wife who departed this life the/13th day of Feby 1784 in the 50th year/of her age/(And) also two of his Children
Mc Danniel – see no 20
39. Here lieth the Body of/Patrick Mc Gaher who/Departed this life Iune/the 10th 1770 aged 53/also 3 of his Children
40. This stone was erected by Dennis/Nowlan in memory of his beloved wife/Bridget Nowlan who departed this life/on the 18th of April 1824/deeply regretted by them who knew her/She was a good wife and a tender mother/aged 59 years
41. This erected in memory of/James Nowlan who deptd this/life June ye 29 AD 1812 aged/40
42. Sweet Jesus have mercy/on the soul of/Andrew Quinn/Late President of the/Christian Doctrine/Society Naas/who have erected this monument/died Feb 2nd 1879/aged 35 years
43. This stone was erect/ed by Mrs Lucy Hayes/of Landenstown in me/mory of her beloved Fa/ther and Mother Mr Ed/ward and Mrs Rose Toole/who departed this life/the 26th of December 1815/and 1st of January 1816 in the/70 Year of their age
Tool – see no 27
On a grey marble mural tablet inside the church, built into the north wall:
To the Memory of the/ Revd John Harrison/A.B S.T.C.D/Vicar of Bodenstown/and for 32 years/pastor of this church/This Tablet was Erected by/a fond and admiring son/As a Tribute of affection OBIIT MDCCCXL [Died 1840]
In addition, the brass plaques transcribed below were originally in Killashee until its deconsecration and closure in 1965. Following this, they were moved to St David’s church of Ireland in Naas, where they were remounted on the walls:
In loving memory of Florence Henrietta Fanny Moore who died at Killashee Sept 29th 1887
In loving memory of Geraldine F.L Warren who died in London 4th June 1928
In loving memory of Alice Geraldine Moore who died in Cheltenham 21st November 1931
In loving memory of Lt Colr St. Leger Moore who died at Killashee 13th of October 1921 in his 74th year
In loving memory of Stephen Blyth Moore Major Imperial Yeomandry who died of enteric fever at Wyberg South Africa while serving his country June 4th 1901 Aged 51 years
The de Robeck family memorial panels
The following plaster panels, dedicated to members of the de Robeck family, were originally located in the church at Killashee. These were, at the time of photographing in 2017, located at St Columcille’s Church of Ireland, Rathmore, Naas, Co. Kildare.
