Kinsealy

Kinsealy Cemetery

Kinsealy Cemetery is located in tillage and pasture land to the north of a third class road leading from the R107 to the R104. While there are no upstanding archaeological features of early medieval date on the site the eastern boundary has a significant curved section which may represent part of an earlier enclosure.

Historical Context

The Church of Kinsaley is dedicated to St. Nicholas and probably fell to ruin in the mid-17th century. Only the nave survives. A curve in a southeast section of the graveyard wall may indicate the former existence of an earlier ecclesiastical enclosure. A mausoleum containing the remains of the Antiquarian, Austin Cooper and his descendants, is located on the site of the former chancel.

Archaeological and Architectural Features

The standing remains within the graveyard consist of the walls of a late medieval church with a double bellcote on the western gable and a pointed chancel arch to the east. It is constructed of roughly coursed limestone. There are opposed pointed arched openings in the north and south walls. There is burial within the interior of the church. An early 19th century mausoleum is located at the east end of the nave on the site of the former chancel.

General Description

Sub-rectangular graveyard bounded by squared rubble limestone wall. There is a significant curved section along the eastern side. There are gates and a stile in the southeast corner of graveyard. The graveyard contains 18th, 19th and early to mid-20th century grave markers. The majority of the markers are either headstones or free standing crosses of either concrete, or limestone. There is a large number of late 19th and early 20th century cast-iron crosses and railed plots.

The early 19th century mausoleum of the antiquarian Austin Cooper is located at the east end of the nave on the site of the former chancel. A shield shaped plaque reads "Sacred to the memory of Austin Cooper Esq. F.S.A., M.R.I.A. of Merrion Square and Abbeyville, Co. Dublin. Second son of Wm. Cooper Esq. of Killenure Castle, Co. Tipperary. He was a learned Irish Antiquarian and lover of art and literature owning the lands of Kinsaley in fee he built this vault AD 1813 as a burial place for self and successive heirs. He died 30th August 1830. Aged 73. Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord. He will ransom them from the power of the grave. He will redeem them from death". A rectangular plaque below reads "Through the gate of death we pass to our joyful resurrection". A rectangular plaque above commemorates Cooper's descendants "In memory of Sarah Mauvillian Copper wide of Austin Cooper F.S.A. died 7th June 1830, Aged 64. Margaret Cooper, wife of Reverend Austin Cooper. Died 3rd December 1861, Aged 57. Reverend Austin Cooper M.A. Youngest some of Austin Cooper F.S.A. Died 3rd December 1871, Aged ? Caroline Anne Marcia Cooper, wife of Austin Damer Cooper, Died 30th September 1884, Aged 54 years. Austin Damer Cooper, eldest son of Revd. Austin Cooper died 2nd January 1900, Aged 69. Albert Damer Cooper, youngest son of Austin Damer Cooper, died 10th December 1939, Aged 71".

One of the oldest headstones in the graveyard is mid-18th century in date and is decorated with a winged angel and a skull and cross bones, it is inscribed as follows "This stone and burial place belongeth to Elias Reynolds and his posterity. And also here lieth five of his children who died young. October 27th 1754. Also here lieth the body of Margaret Reynolds who departed this life Nov 1st 1734, aged 3 years."