A VISIT TO ST PATRICK'S GRAVEYARD IN KILKENNY
ST PATRICK'S GRAVEYARD KILKENNY [JUNE 2025]
St. Patrick's Graveyard is situated in Kilkenny, County Kilkenny. According to the records, this graveyard contains a total of 4 Commonwealth War Graves. These casualties are specifically identified as having occurred during the First World War, with no Second World War casualties recorded at this location. The explicit breakdown of "First world war casualties: 4" and "Second world war casualties: 0" in the source material provides valuable specificity regarding the historical period these graves represent. This level of detail ensures that the report is not merely a raw number but also offers a nuanced understanding of the conflict era associated with these particular burials.
St. Patrick's Graveyard in Kilkenny is a significant historical and archaeological site, offering a glimpse into the city's past. Here's a breakdown of its key features:
Historical Significance:
Ancient Burial Ground: It has been the chief burial place for prominent Kilkenny families, including the Archers, Lanigans, Walshes, Brennans, Phelans, Murphys, and Kellys, for centuries.
Medieval Tombs: The graveyard boasts a large collection of medieval tombs, with some markers dating back to the late 17th century. These tombstones are considered an important part of Kilkenny's archaeological heritage.
Site of a Former Church: The graveyard marks the site where a mass house, later a Catholic chapel, stood until the late 18th century. Historically, it's also noted that in 1650, Cromwell positioned his cannons on the site of the former St. Patrick's church to attack Kilkenny Castle, which would have had an excellent view from that spot.
Notable Inscriptions: Some gravestones bear interesting and historically significant inscriptions, such as one dedicated to John Haltigan, a nationalist who struggled for Ireland's freedom and was imprisoned for it.
Architectural and Artistic Merit:
High-Quality Stone Masonry: The graveyard is known for its picturesque setting and the artistic design of its markers, exhibiting high-quality stone masonry.
Variety of Monuments: You'll find a range of cut-stone markers, some dating from 1667 to 1946.
Notable Burials (General Families/Types):
While a comprehensive list of every notable individual buried there isn't readily available, the graveyard is known for:
Prominent Kilkenny Families: As mentioned, many members of historical Kilkenny families like the Archers, Lanigans, Walshes, Brennans, Phelans, Murphys, and Kellys are interred here.
Clergymen: Some clergymen are buried in the graveyard.
Military Personnel: There are four Commonwealth burials from the 1914-1918 war. Kilkenny graveyards, including St. Patrick's, also contain memorials to men and women who served in various armed forces.
Management and Access:
St. Patrick's Graveyard is a parish-owned and operated burial ground.
For information regarding purchasing a plot or viewing burial records, you would typically need to contact the Parish Priest or the Parish Office.
Regulations exist for the erection and maintenance of monuments, including limitations on headstone size and prohibitions on planting trees on graves.
The graveyard is a sacred place and visitors are expected to treat it with respect. Prohibited activities include the consumption of drugs/alcohol, anti-social behaviour, and illegal dumping. Dogs are not permitted, with the exception of guide dogs.
The Parish reserves the right to prohibit public access when necessitated by health and safety concerns, security issues, and maintenance requirements.
Location:
St. Patrick's Graveyard is located in Kilkenny, specifically at 13 Upper Patrick St, Gardens, Kilkenny, R95 VK31, Ireland.
Overall, St. Patrick's Graveyard is not just a burial ground but a valuable historical and cultural asset in Kilkenny, reflecting centuries of local life and significant events.
Summary of Commonwealth War Graves in Kilkenny City
Based on the detailed analysis of the provided research materials, the total number of Commonwealth War Graves identified within Kilkenny City is 15. These graves are distributed across five distinct cemeteries within the city's geographical limits.
St. Patrick's Graveyard is situated in Kilkenny, County Kilkenny. According to the records, this graveyard contains a total of 4 Commonwealth War Graves. These casualties are specifically identified as having occurred during the First World War, with no Second World War casualties recorded at this location. The explicit breakdown of "First world war casualties: 4" and "Second world war casualties: 0" in the source material provides valuable specificity regarding the historical period these graves represent. This level of detail ensures that the report is not merely a raw number but also offers a nuanced understanding of the conflict era associated with these particular burials.
St. Patrick's Graveyard in Kilkenny is a significant historical and archaeological site, offering a glimpse into the city's past. Here's a breakdown of its key features:
Historical Significance:
Ancient Burial Ground: It has been the chief burial place for prominent Kilkenny families, including the Archers, Lanigans, Walshes, Brennans, Phelans, Murphys, and Kellys, for centuries.
Medieval Tombs: The graveyard boasts a large collection of medieval tombs, with some markers dating back to the late 17th century. These tombstones are considered an important part of Kilkenny's archaeological heritage.
Site of a Former Church: The graveyard marks the site where a mass house, later a Catholic chapel, stood until the late 18th century. Historically, it's also noted that in 1650, Cromwell positioned his cannons on the site of the former St. Patrick's church to attack Kilkenny Castle, which would have had an excellent view from that spot.
Notable Inscriptions: Some gravestones bear interesting and historically significant inscriptions, such as one dedicated to John Haltigan, a nationalist who struggled for Ireland's freedom and was imprisoned for it.
Architectural and Artistic Merit:
High-Quality Stone Masonry: The graveyard is known for its picturesque setting and the artistic design of its markers, exhibiting high-quality stone masonry.
Variety of Monuments: You'll find a range of cut-stone markers, some dating from 1667 to 1946.
Notable Burials (General Families/Types):
While a comprehensive list of every notable individual buried there isn't readily available, the graveyard is known for:
Prominent Kilkenny Families: As mentioned, many members of historical Kilkenny families like the Archers, Lanigans, Walshes, Brennans, Phelans, Murphys, and Kellys are interred here.
Clergymen: Some clergymen are buried in the graveyard.
Military Personnel: There are four Commonwealth burials from the 1914-1918 war. Kilkenny graveyards, including St. Patrick's, also contain memorials to men and women who served in various armed forces.
Management and Access:
St. Patrick's Graveyard is a parish-owned and operated burial ground.
For information regarding purchasing a plot or viewing burial records, you would typically need to contact the Parish Priest or the Parish Office.
Regulations exist for the erection and maintenance of monuments, including limitations on headstone size and prohibitions on planting trees on graves.
The graveyard is a sacred place and visitors are expected to treat it with respect. Prohibited activities include the consumption of drugs/alcohol, anti-social behaviour, and illegal dumping. Dogs are not permitted, with the exception of guide dogs.
The Parish reserves the right to prohibit public access when necessitated by health and safety concerns, security issues, and maintenance requirements.
Location:
St. Patrick's Graveyard is located in Kilkenny, specifically at 13 Upper Patrick St, Gardens, Kilkenny, R95 VK31, Ireland.
Overall, St. Patrick's Graveyard is not just a burial ground but a valuable historical and cultural asset in Kilkenny, reflecting centuries of local life and significant events.
Summary of Commonwealth War Graves in Kilkenny City
Based on the detailed analysis of the provided research materials, the total number of Commonwealth War Graves identified within Kilkenny City is 15. These graves are distributed across five distinct cemeteries within the city's geographical limits.