Title:  Journal of the Association for the Preservation of the Memorials of the Dead in Ireland. Volume V.,1903, Dublin, 504-505
Date:  1903
Place:  [Kilmanoge]

 

COUNTY WICKLOW

Unit of Delgany —Kilmacanoge Churchyard

From the Rev. R. S. Maffett.]

‘This churchyard, situated within sight of the small village of the same name, lies in front of the Sugar-loaf Hotel, kept at the time of my visit by Mr. Pluck (since deceased), who held the keys of the graveyard under the Poor Law Guardians of the district. The ground, which one enters beneath a metal arch, surmounted by a cross and bearing the inscription “Kilmacanogue Cemetery” is enclosed by well-built walls. Kilmacanoge and Tulcoole were united by act of council before 1700 to Delgany parish; but the Roman Catholic chapel, which is close at hand, is, I believe, connected with the district of Enniskerry in the parochial arrangements of that church. Only one family (“Hicks”), not belonging to that communion, now buries in this ground. Mr. Pluck informed me that the guardians did not pay anything towards the keeping of the graveyard in decent order; the grass, however, is cut twice a year, the cost being borne by a local subscription. It is a pity that the authorities do not contribute a sum each year, equal to the amount of the subscriptions, on an understanding that the grass be cut four times a year at the least, which would make an uneven ground like this safer to walk over. A rose-bush with some large pink blossoms lit up the churchyard with a gleam of cheerfulness in the June of 1894, when I visited it. Of the ruined church the walls of the nave, which enclose an Irish yew and some headstones, are in very fair preservation. The west end is railed off for memorials with inscriptions which, not being close to them, I was not able to read; the name inscribed, however, appeared to be of “Doyle,” and the gate into this narrow portion has over it, “Pray for the souls of the faithful departed.” There is a small entrance to the church, of cut stone, with pointed arch, in the south wall of the nave; in the east wall there is a larger, though low, arch, some distance beyond which, and parallel to it, is a wall with a small window having a pointed arch, presumably a chancel wall. For further particulars see O’Curry (“Ordnance Survey MSS.”).’