Modreeny Parish · Co. Tipperary
Grawn Graveyard
A graveyard in the townland of Coolnamuna, Barony of Lower Ormond, about a mile north-west of Cloughjordan, around the ruined chapel of Modreeny (built 1830, closed 1936). Five priests are buried here, and in an unmarked grave to the right of the entrance lie the parents of Thomas MacDonagh, the 1916 poet and patriot. Local tradition holds that many Famine victims are buried here, some in mass graves.
- Established
- Chapel built 1830, closed 1936; older graveyard
- Townland
- Coolnamuna
- Memorials online
- 51
History
About this graveyard
Grawn graveyard lies in the townland of Coolnamuna, about a mile north-west of Cloughjordan. The ruined church — described by Samuel Lewis in 1837 as 'the chapel of Modreeney, a handsome modern edifice' — was built in 1830 ('Omnipotenti Deo Sacrum, 1830'), closed for public worship in 1936 and has since fallen into ruin. Five priests are buried here, among them the two Fr. Dunnes (uncle and nephew, natives of Co. Offaly, commemorated by Latin monuments) and Fr. Daniel Smyth (d. 1888, in an unmarked grave). To the right of the entrance gate, in an unmarked grave, lie the parents of Thomas MacDonagh, the 1916 poet and patriot — both National School teachers in Cloughjordan village, where Thomas was born in 1878. Since Cloughjordan cemetery opened in 1936 Grawn has been little used; local tradition holds that many Famine victims are buried here, some in mass graves. 51 numbered headstones were copied (Dr Quigley out of alphabetical order at No. 51). Recorded by Daniel Grace, Denise Foulkes and Rosarie Mullane for the Ormond Historical Society's survey of the Barony of Lower Ormond (Section A, Volume 8), 1984.
The Memorials
Recorded inscriptions
All 51 recorded memorials from this ground are transcribed here. Select one to read its full inscription.
51 memorials
Mary Brereton
1938
Mary Brereton 30 July 1938.
Read inscriptionMaria Brophy
1846 – 1904 · 2 others remembered
Erected by John Brophy of Island in memory of his wife Maria Brophy who died May 8th 1904 aged 68 years. His father William died 1846 and his brother William died 1880.
Read inscriptionPatrick Brophy
1925 – 1964 · 6 others remembered
In loving memory of Patrick Brophy, the Island, Borrisokane, who died 23rd March 1925. His wife Minnie died 10 Jan 1964. Their children Martin died 1 Jan 1926. James died 7 Nov 1944. William died 1 Feb 1962. His wife Mary died 25 May 1937. Also Sarah Heenan, Crotta died 12th Dec 1942.
Read inscriptionCatherine Brophy
1953 – 1954 · 1 other remembered
In loving memory of Catherine Brophy, Coolderry died 14th Feb 1953 and her husband James died 10th May 1954.
Read inscriptionThomas Burns
1932 – 1978 · 6 others remembered
In loving memory of Thomas Burns, Templemore Road, Cloughjordan, died 29 March 1943 aged 63 years. His wife Ellen died 30 Dec 1978 aged 86. Their sons, Christopher died 24 Sept 1932 aged 19. William died 21 Sept 1972 aged 43. Patrick died 12 Oct 1977 aged 64. Their daughter May Donnelly died 4th July 1961 aged 36. Also Sarah B. Burns died 18 Dec 1968 aged 84.
Read inscriptionThomas Byrnes
1922 – 1945 · 1 other remembered
In memory of Thomas Byrnes, Templemore Rd. Cloughjordan who died on 28th March ?1945 aged 69 years. His son Christopher died 20th September ?1922 aged ?17 years. (This stone very difficult to read).
Read inscriptionJohanna Carroll
1912
In loving memory of Johanna Carroll, Cappanasmere, Borrisokane died 16th Dec 1912 aged 80 years.
Read inscriptionNorah Cawley
1917
In loving memory of Mrs Norah Cawley of Emell who died Sep 7th 1917 aged 63 years.
Read inscriptionMargaret Cleary
1881
Erected by John Joseph Cleary in loving memory of his mother Margaret Cleary who died 10th May 1881 aged 33 years.
Read inscriptionHanora Corby
1868
Erected by Thomas Corboy of Cloughjordan in memory of his beloved wife Hanora Corby died Novr the ?20th 1868 aged ?60 years. May she rest in peace.
Read inscriptionTeresa Mary Costello
1907 – 1909 · 3 others remembered
In loving memory of Teresa Mary Costello died 9th ---- 194-. Her sons, Diarmuid died 17th December 1907. Cormac died 1st April 1909. Donal died 16th April 1909. May light eternal shine upon them, O Lord, with your saints forever because You are merciful.
Read inscriptionJames Costello
1936 – 1977 · 6 others remembered
In loving memory of James Costello, Gurtavalla, Cloughjordan, died 13th Dec 1943. His wife Nora died 5th July 1977. Their daughters, Bridget died 8th July 1936. Nora died 16th June 1946. Mary died 8th Dec 1947. His sisters, Eliza died 12th Jan 1942. Vina died 8th March 1945. Eternal rest grant to them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine on them.
Read inscriptionJohn George Davis
1879
Erected by Margaret Davis of Cloughjordan in memory of her beloved husband John George Davis who died April 8th 1879 aged 50 years. May his soul rest in peace.
Read inscriptionRev. Thomas Dunne
1835
Memoriae sacrum Reverendi Thomae Dunne. [Translation: To the memory of the Rev. Thomas Dunne whose mortal remains rest here, in the hope of a happy resurrection. For five years he sought an education for the priesthood in Lisbon, Portugal, an education denied him in his native land. Having been ordained priest, he returned to this diocese & ministered in various parishes. He was pastor of Cloughjordan parish for 27 years. He died in 1835 aged 67 years. His successor erected this monument.]
Read inscriptionRev. Bernard Dunne
1836
Memoriae sacrum Reverendi Bernardi Dunne. [Translation: To the memory of the Rev. Bernard Dunne who was curate in this parish for eight years, and parish priest for one year only. He died in November 1836 aged 35 yrs. His successor erected this monument.]
Read inscriptionJudith Egan
1856 – 1864 · 2 others remembered
Erected by James Egan and his sister Honora E. McCluskey of Victoria, Australia in memory of their beloved mother Judith Egan who died March 12th 1856 aged 50. Also their beloved Father Edward Egan of Modreeny, who died Feb 22nd 1864 aged 83 years. Also their brother Michael Egan.
Read inscriptionMichael Egan
1936 – 1966 · 3 others remembered
In loving memory of Michael Egan, Ballyhasty died 13th Feb 1938 aged 70. His wife Nora died 20th Sept 1936 aged 5-. Their son Michael died 13th Feb 1938 aged 12. Martha Askew (nee Egan) died 2 April 1966 aged 93.
Read inscriptionNora Ferns
1920
In loving memory of Nora Ferns who died April 6th 1920 aged 28 years. Erected by her husband Denis Ferns. (Dublin).
Read inscriptionJames Fitzgerald
1845 – 1859 · 2 others remembered
James Fitzgerald died 5th April 1845 aged 22 years. Thomas Fitzgerald died ?12th June 18-- aged 19 years. John Fitzgerald died -- Decr 1859 aged 31 years. May they rest in peace.
Read inscriptionJohn Fitzgerald
1847 – 1849 · 1 other remembered
Pray for the soul of John Fitzgerald of Bantiss who died on the 29th May 1849 aged 60 years. Also for the soul of Ellen Fitzgerald his wife who died July 9th 1847 aged 55 years. May they rest in peace.
Read inscriptionMaria Fitzgerald alias Kennedy
1871
Pray for the soul of Maria Fitzgerald alias Kennedy of Bantiss who died July 5th 1871 aged 34 yrs. May the Lord have mercy on her soul.
Read inscriptionEdward Garvin
1877
Erected by Edward Gavin of Middlewalk in memory of his father Edward Garvin who died March 10th 1877 aged 74 years. May his soul rest in peace.
Read inscriptionJames Graham
1878
Erected by James Graham of Cloughjordan in memory of his father James Graham who died on the 16th of December 1878 aged 71 years.
Read inscriptionPatrick Hamell
1906 – 1937 · 2 others remembered
In loving memory of Patrick Hamell died 28th Feb 1914 aged 43 years. His wife Margaret Mary died 20th Sept 1937 aged 58 years. Their son Ciaran died 14th Sept 1906 aged 13 months.
Read inscriptionHanora Harty
1859 – 1871 · 2 others remembered
Erected by James Harty of Loughawn in memory of his wife Hanora Harty who died November 29th --71 (?1871, stone broken through date), aged 67 yrs. Also his father Patrick Harty died Aug 15th 1859 aged 74 yrs. And also his mother Sarah Harty died ---- 1864 aged 76.
Read inscriptionPatrick Harty
1932 – 1969 · 5 others remembered
In loving memory of Patrick Harty, Loughane, Cloughjordan died 4th Oct 1934. His wife Catherine died 17 Oct 1936. Their sons, James died 28th Jan 1959. John died 7th April 1969. and daughters, Sarah died 2 Sept 1932. Norah died 10th Nov 1950. Eternal rest grant to them O Lord and may perpetual light shine upon them.
Read inscriptionMichael Hawley
1874 · 1 other remembered
Of your charity pray for the soul of Michael Hawley of Ballycapple who died 25th July 1874 aged 77 yrs. Also for the soul of Margaret Hawley alias McDonnell his wife died 14th March aged ----.
Read inscriptionMichael Hawley
1943
In loving memory of Michael Hawley, Ballycapple who died 5th April 1943 aged 80 yrs.
Read inscriptionMichael Herlihy
1896 – 1933 · 2 others remembered
In loving memory of Michael Herlihy died Oct 26 1917. Also his wife Ellen died March 2 1933 and their son Patrick died Sep 23 1896.
Read inscriptionPatrick Hough
1918 – 1944 · 2 others remembered
In loving memory of Patrick Hough, Loughane, Cloughjordan died 13th Jan 1938. His wife Mary died 24th Oct 1944. Their son John died 27th June 1918.
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