Balscadden

Balscadden Cemetery

Balscadden Cemetery is located in tillage and pasture fields to the west of Balscadden village on the north side of a third class road. Though the remains of the church are later medieval in date the cemetery contains a holy well and a grave slab fragment and the curving boundary to the east and south of the site may represent the line of an ecclesiastical enclosure.

Historical Context

The church of 'Baliscadan' is referred to as a possession of the Prior of Holy Trinity in 1275. In 1630 the church and chancel are described as being in good repair, but they appear to have fallen into ruin after this date. Today, a curve in the southeast corner of the cemetery’s enclosing earthen bank indicates the existence of an early ecclesiastical enclosure. Grass covered foundations and limestone masonry can also be seen.

St. Mary’s well is located in the centre of the cemetery. It had a whitethorn bush growing in it and pieces of cloth were suspended from the bush. The depth of the water in the well never varied. The pattern was held on Lady Day on the 15th August and graves were dressed on this day. The well is said to cure eye complaints.

Archaeological and Architectural Features

Located on a slight rise within the cemetery are the northwest and northeast ends of the church. The eastern end survives to a height of approx 0.6m and consist of rubble limestone. There is an opening in the east wall. The north-eastern corner appears to have been rebuilt and survives to approximately to 1.5m. There are grassed over wall footings between the northeast and northwest sections. The curving boundary to the east and south of the cemetery may represent the line of an ecclesiastical enclosure. There is a holy well to the southwest of the church which has a modern stone.

General Description

Sub-rectangular cemetery with curving boundary to east and south which may represent the line of an ecclesiastical enclosure. Bounded by low, squared rubble limestone wall and hedgerow. Mild steel gates and stile to southeast corner. A concrete path runs around the interior of the boundary. The cemetery contains 18th, 19th and 20th century grave markers and a number of undercoated stone markers which may be earlier. The markers consist of headstones and free-standing cross with individual table tombs and an unusual range of cast-iron crosses.

The cemetery contains numerous burials of Dublin people including an 18th century headstone with a curved top decorated with an IHS motif and the following inscription "Here lies interred the body of the Revd. Patrick Kirwin of ye Chapel of Adam & Eve in the city of Dublin who departed this life ye 23rd of April 1794 Aged 54 years. Pray for him". One of the earliest headstones is early 18th century example decorated with an IHS marker and a cross and the following inscription "Here lyeth ye body of Richard Landy of the Ring who departed this life January the 22nd 1732. Also the body of his wife Bridget Sweet".