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Journals 1888-1916

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Clondagad Parish

1897, Vol. III (3)

Clondegad Church
Received from Thomas J. Westropp Esq.

NORTON—, 1700. Impaled on Ross shield. Arms—On a bend between 2 lions rampant 3 escallops.

ROSS—Seal, 1698. GEORGE, Liskillogue. Arms—Three water budgets 2 and 3, impaling CROFTON. 1700.

1700.—South wall of Clondagad Parish Church, Co. Clare. Armorial bearings of GEORGE ROSSE, of Fortfergus (High Sheriff of Co. Clare, 1664), and the Arms of NORTON* impaled. GEORGE Ross left his estates to his nephew, JOHN LEWIN, who, with his descendants, have since used the name ROSS-LEWIN.

* His wife was JANE CROFTON, of Moate, so the impalement of NORTON requires explanation.

1911, Vol. VIII (2)

Clondagad Church.
From Mr. T. J. Westropp.

 
Rosse Seal
Rosse Seal

The parish is first mentioned as Clondagah and Eribanub in the Papal Taxation of 1302. The last name is probably “Scribanus,” to be connected with the well named Tobersereabaun in the parish. The name Clondagad belongs to the form, so common in this country (like Glendalough, Clondanagh, &c.), marking the strange regard of the Irish for the number two. Legend says in this case that Clondagad, the plain of the two gads (or withes), derived its name from two druids, Screabaun and Fiddaun, having contested with each other in magic, making their “gads” float up the stream—no great miracle in the tidal part—and Screabaun won. A rock recess or bed of Screabaun is shown near the river. The ancient church has left no trace; and the present one, with its rounded “corners” and western belfry, is very modern, having been rebuilt in 1809. We collected the following epitaphs, but not a few others are defaced or partly covered; none of these latter seemed of any great age:—

1. CONNOR CONSI | DYNE MARG B. 1631.

It is on flat tapering stone, now broken, with a neat, slightly rounded moulding at the edge; the date is at the narrower end, both facing the broader end; the wife’s name does not appear to have been completed. It has been removed, and the fragments lie on modern graves close together.

2. Canon Dwyer gives the following, which I failed to find:—

Stand passenger, gaze & see | such as I am so shalt thou bee who died to live so live to die | Depart, muse on eternity. Mr Robt Smith departed this life 17th Feb 1676

3. “Crest: a peacock. Arms (Ross): three water budgets impaling (Harrison) a bend charged with three escallops, between two lions rampant. All in a lozenge”:—

Within this burying place | lyes entered the body of | George Ross Esqre who was | founder thereof he dyed | the 19th of May 1700 in the 79 (?) | yeare of his age
This monument was erected | the same yeare by the order | of his kindsman Robert | Harrison.*
* The copy on p. 73 of Frost’s “History of Clare” is inaccurate.
The will of George Ross is extant (March 11th, 1699, proved at Dublin, Prerogative, June 15th, 1700). He left Fortfergus and other lands to John Lewin, son of Barbara Lewin, sister of Robert Harrison, of Bishop Auckland, Durham, on condition of John taking the extra name of Ross. Lewin is ancestor of the Ross Lewins of Fortfergus, and Ross Hill, County Clare. The inscription is on a plain mural monument set, above the burial enclosure, in the south wall of the church.

4. I.H.S. HERE LIETH THE BODY OF | LUKE CORY OF LANA WHO | DEPARTED THIS LIFE THE 10TH | AUGUST 1709 IT BEING THE 67TH | YEAR OF HIS AGE.

It lies at the south-west angle of the graveyard, and is cut in capital letters.

5. HERE LYETH THE BODY | OF WILLIAM WATERS WHO | DEPARTED THIS LIFE THE | 30TH OF 8BOR 1759 | AGED 63 YEARS. GOD HAVE | MERCY ON HIM AND HIS POSTERITY AMEN.

To south-west of church.

6. I.H.S. THIS TOMB WAS | ERECTED BY FLAN | MULUIHILL FOR HIS | WIFE BRIDGETT MULUIHILL | ALIAS CREAGH WHO DIED THE 3D DAY OF DECEMBER | 1763 ADGED FIFTY | FOUR THE LORD HAVE | MERCY ON HER SOUL AMEN AND ON [the rest very small, though plenty of room remains] her posterity.

West side of graveyard.

7. Here lies the body | Michl Scanlon who | died March 17th 1779 | Aged 7 years Erected by | his father Batt Scan | lon of Clondrina for | him & his posterity | Requiescat in pace | Amen | Batt Scanlon died | Jan 4th1817 Aged | 76 yrs Erected by | his son | Thoms.

East side of graveyard.

8. This | Monument Was | erected by Mr Henry | Whitestone in memory | of his wife Mrs Catherine Whitestone Alias Lucas who died | The 9th of Dec 1782, aged 65 years.

On the end of a vault attached to the west wall of the belfry with neat rusticated arch, urns, and arched tablet.

9. I.H.S. | here lies the body of Penny Browne, Al Mc | Mahon, who Depd this | Life Oct 19th 1788 Aged | 31 yrs Erectd by her son Nichloas Brown (sic) | For him and Posterity.

Near last.

10. Here lies the body of | James Considine | who departed this life | Jan 24th 1790 | Aged 40 yr Erected | by his wife Bridget | Courcy for her and posterity May they | rest in peace, Amen

11. I.H.S. | Here lies the body of | Mich Doody died May 4th 1797 | aged 35 years. Erected by | his Brother Thady Doody | For him and family | May they rest in Peace Amen.

The following tombs later than 1800 were noted.

12. Patrick Ronan Nov 1808

Much worn.

13. Timothy Quailly died March 7th 1809 aged 66, by his son Timothy.

14. Martin Sexton died Feb 2nd 1809 aged 17, by his brother Patrick.

15. Mary Corry, alias Chambers, died Ap 1811 aged 30. By her husband Michl.

16. John Scanlan, died 1819. [worn] Patrick D. Scanlon.

17. John Coffee, died June 27th 1823, aged 51. By his son Michl.

18. Mary Brown, alias Griffin, died Ap. 17. 1830 aged 21 by her brothers Mich. & Lott.

19. Mary Duhan (?) died June 27. 1833 aged 18 by her father Michl.

20. James & Daniel Kenedy. John Kennedy died March 30, 1834 aged 24.

It has a curious group, frequently found in the period 1820-50, in Munster:—The crucifixion, I.N.R.I., sun and moon overhead, thirty pieces of silver, fifteen to each side, angel with trumpet, scales, coffin, and spear to right; hammer, pincers, nails, cock crowing out of pot, and St. Peter in profile, with Bishop’s mitre, and the two keys to left. A somewhat similar group is on John Daly’s tomb, 1839.

21. Bridget OShea alias Ronan died Feb 23. 1836 aged 39. By her husband James Shea (sic) of Tubber.

22. Michl Daly to his brother Patrick who died Nov 8th 1839.

23. John Daly, 1839,: Patt, 1845, aged 41 & Mary, 1816, aged 31.

25. I.H.S. Revd Garrett OShaughnessy | for 30 years P.P. of Clondegad | died September the 20th | 1846 Aged 62 years.

Near west end of church.

26. Danl Kelly d. May 5th 1858, aged 23. By his father Tim Kelly, of Clare Castle.

It has a ship in full sail, carved at foot, and the words, “The Master of the Mariner.”

27. Anstance Dillon [No date].

28. [Cross and urns] James & Dan Crowe to their father James d. Ap 27th 1866 aged 65 and mother Susan died Ap 11th 1877 aged 72.

29. [I.H.S. and urns] John King of Ballyclohesy died 26 Aug 1866, aged 68, by his son Patrick.

30. Michael John Kirrane of Furroor to his father Patrick died March 1877 aged 72.

31. James Corry of Lissycasy to his father John Corry died March 7, 1892 aged 75

There are a few still more recent crosses. It is interesting to note the fashion in monuments “in this neglected spot.” The formulas of the inscriptions hardly vary from 1709 to 1866. It is also noteworthy that only in one instance is a clergyman of either denomination represented by a monument. The places of residence only appear in the modern tombs, with one exception, in 1709, and another probably in 1817.

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