Association for the Preservation of the Memorials of the Dead, Ireland
Journals 1888-1916

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Kilfenora Parish

1892, Vol. II (1)

Kilfenora Churchyard.

I. “DONALDUS MACDONAGH et uxor ejus MARIA O’CONOR sibi et suis ambobus posteris hunc tumulum fieri fecere An Dni 1685.
Momento Mori.
Formo favor populi fervor juvenilis ospesque
Subripuere tibi noscere quid sit homo
Post hominem vermes post vermem foetor et horror,
Sic in non hominem vertitur omnis homo
Sic transit gloria mundi.
Quisquis eris qui transieris sto perlege, plora.
Sum quod eris, fueramque quod es; pro me, precor, ora.”

Translation.

I. “Donald Macdonagh and his wife Maria O’Conor caused this monument to be made for themselves and for their posterity, on both sides, A.D. 1685.
Remember death.
A fine form, the good will of the people, youthful ardour and wealth have snatched from thee how to know what man is. After the man, a worm, after the worm foul smell and horror. Thus even man is turned into what is not a man. Thus the glory of this world passes away. Whoever thou art who shall pass by. Pause, read carefully, and lament. I am what thou wilt be, and have been what thou art, pray for me, I beseech thee.”

Crest—A gauntleted hand holding a sword with serpent twined round blade.
Shield—Parti per chevron, two griffins rampant above, boar passant below chevron. No tinctures decipherable.
Motto—“Probitas est optima virtus.”
“Up rightness is the best of virtues.”

Tomb within church, north wall, son buried in same tomb. Inscription (English) below, now concealed by pew:—

“JAMES MACDONOGH built well near Church,” with following inscription: “Deo et B. Fechnano hoc opusculum fundavit DONALDUS MACDONOGH licentia et permissione Episcopi Fineborensis 15 Ano Dni 1687.”

Translation.
Donald Macdonogh by license and the permission of the Bishop of Finebor, founded this little work to God, Anno Domini 1687.

II. In churchyard, near south wall of chancel:—

“Non quem quam defraudavi, me soepe fefelli.
Et Marti et Baccho soepe tributa dedi.
Patk Lysoght obiit Anno Dni 1741 oetat suoe 85.”

I have not deceived anyone, I have often patronised [faction] fights and bouts of drinking.
Patrick Lysaght died A.D. 1741, aged 85.

III. North wall of chancel, tomb of Dean Blood, who presented Communion plate:—

“Homo quasi flos egreditur et fugit velut umbra.
Sic tacite fugerant et pignora chara parentum. Pectora quod cruciat moesta dolore, sua. Nomina si quoeras horum, si tempora mortis, Ecce notæ subsunt quæ tibi cuncto notant. Videlicet Neptunus qui fuit filius Revdi Nept. Blood, Decani Fineborensis ejusque uxoris Isabellæ Blood alias Pullein expiravit 1o die Julii 1683, mense ætat 13o Elizabeth B. exp. 21o Sept., 1688. Mse æt 6—Johannes Blood exp. 17o Maii 1694. Mse Oct. 5o Amabilis enim Debora B: expiravit 5o die Junii, 1695, anoætat 9o Theodosia B: exp. 20o Apr. 1699. Mse ætat 13o.
Pius et peracutus vero juvenis Gulielmus Blodd expiravit 13o die Martii 1699 Ano ætat 16o, Lepidus etiam Neptunus expiravit 30o die Martii, 1700, Ano ætatis octavo. Qui hic inferius sepeliuntur.”

The Blood Monument.

Man as the flower groweth up and passes away as a shadow. Thus silently have passed even the dear pledges of love to parents whose sorrowful hearts are tortured with grief. If you would seek the names of these and the dates of their death, lo! the lines which are below tell thee all—Namely—NEPTUNE, son of the REVD. NEPTUNE BLOOD, Dean of Finebor [Kilfenora?], and his wife ISABELLA BLOOD, otherwise PULLEIN, who died on the 1st July, 1683, aged 13; also ELIZABETH B[LOOD], who died 21 September, 1688, aged 6. JOHN B. who died 17 May, 1694, aged 5 years; also the aimable DEBORA B, who died 5th of June, 1695, aged 9. Also THEODOSIA B., who died 20 April, 1699, aged 13 years; also the dutiful and clever youth WILLIAM B., who died 13th March, 1699, aged 16; also LEPEDUS NEPTUNUS, who died 30 day of March, 1700, in the 8th year of his age, and these are buried here below.

IV. Under shrine in chancel, flat stone, head to west. Inscription deeply cut around margin beginning at west:—

“Here lyeth the body of HY GATEL, one who lived 21 yeares deane of this Church and died in September 1638.”

V. Altar-tomb, four panels, in chancel near nave, south side. Inscription cut in relief:—

“WILLIAM MAGENCHARIG l(?) and his wife ELIZ. MEDEA (?) made this tombe anno Dni 1650.”

Also in chancel, south side, head to east, effigy of a priest holding a chalice, on a flat stone. No inscription.

The following imperfect inscription is given as far as is possible:—

“Beneath lie the remains of MRS. BRIDGET LYSAGHT, alias JORDAN and of J. . . [broken] the beloved wife and child of DANL LYSAGHT, a tribute of respect paid to their memory by a kind husband and fond parent, both of whom died in 18[4?]3.
All the rest torn. . . . .”

Seward says of this place that the cathedral is very ancient, but in good repair; the nave is full of old family monuments, and in the choir is that of St. Fechran, its original founder, having the effigies (sic) of the saint carved at full length.

“Here are also seven crosses, each of which is formed of a single stone, and ornamented with very antient sculpture.”

1897, Vol. III (3)
Kindly contributed by Thomas J. Westropp, Esq.

Kilfenora Cathedral
MACDONOUGH— 1685. DONALD. Arms—A chevron, above it 2 wolves salient, below it a boar passant. Crest—A hand and arm vambraced, holding a sword entwined with a serpent.

“Here lies the body | of JOHN NEVLAN who | dyed the 27 of July | 1718 Aged 24.
I. H. S.”

In the nave is the Macdonough Tomb.

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