Kane Old Graveyard
Kane is first mentioned in the Four Masters in the transcription of a martyrology of about 1170, which describes "a virgin, Sodelb, Cén is the name of her stead in Mágh Conaillí". , and it is thought that she and her group were settled in Kane early in the 6th century.
The partially restored wall is part of a 12th or 13th century structure,"the church of Adken" dedicated to Saint John the Baptist, to which Rosia de Verdon appointed as Rector, William, son of Richard the Miller, (Justiciary Rolls 1297)
The church was in disrepair in 1692, and was rebuilt by James Cubett, curate, and finished by Rev. William Smith at his own expense of £18 sterling, deciding to live there as it was the centre of the parishes of Faughart and Killincoole. There "he preached and celebrated Divine Service every Lord's Day".
Church and graveyard fell into a state of neglect. It would appear that the stone from the walls of the church was removed for use in other structures and perhaps in the surrounding walls of the graveyard. The north wall of the church is incorporated in the graveyard wall. The foundations and the south-east corner of the church remain. Traces of the plastering of the internal surface remain, a rough coat topped with a fine coat.
The earliest burials are marked by rough stones. It is likely that very many more burials are without markers. The earliest recorded burial is that of James Dickie of Clunaleenan in 1747, aged 47 years. The last burial in this graveyard was that of Jane Bailie of Carracloghan, (listed in the records as Carrickrobin) in March 1977. The headstone inscriptions have been recorded and are displayed here.
The graveyard was cleaned in 1974 under the guidance of Very Rev. Díarmuid Canon Mac Íomhair, P.P. Faughart, who also conducted Ecumenical Prayer Services with Rev. M. Gamble, Dundalk, but it gradually fell back into neglect.
Faughart Historical Properties Preservation Society, formed in 1997, reclaimed the graveyard in that year and organised an Ecumenical Prayer Service on 31 August at which Rev Stanley Millen, Rev. Mark Wilson and Rev. Christopher McCormack officiated.
No excavation work was considered for the project, the main work being confined to clearance of scrub and dangerous trees and replacing fallen headstones. The project was continued in 1998 with the partial restoration of the walls.
We wish to acknowledge the co-operation and readily given assistance of the late John Callan, Kane.
Researchers in Genealogy will find useful information in the Inscriptions on this site.
KANE OLD GRAVEYARD
GLOOMY NECROPOLIS DISGRACING;
RUSTED RAILINGS EMBRACING;
BRUSHWOOD, BRIARS - INTERLACING.
WILDERNESS! NO PROCESSING THROUGH
TANGLED BOUGHS OF FALLEN YEW
SLASH - HOOKED BETWIXT THE DEAD.
“IN AFFECTIONATE REMEMBRANCE”
BEGRIMED TOMB STONES READ -
CONFOUNDING SOMBRE STATE PORTRAYED
AND OBSEQUIES IN EARNEST PRAYED.
JOHN THE BAPTIST’S CHURCH OF KANE
ANCIENT FOUNDATIONS INTACT REMAIN
STEEPED IN HISTORY - SACRED SHRINE;
BLURRED ETCHING ON TABLETS OF TIME;
A HALLOWED SITE IN TERMINAL DECLINE.
GLOOMY NECROPOLIS DISGRACING;
RUSTED RAILINGS EMBRACING;
BRUSHWOOD, BRIARS - INTERLACING.
WILDERNESS! NO PROCESSING THROUGH
TANGLED BOUGHS OF FALLEN YEW
SLASH - HOOKED BETWIXT THE DEAD.
“IN AFFECTIONATE REMEMBRANCE”
BEGRIMED TOMB STONES READ -
CONFOUNDING SOMBRE STATE PORTRAYED
AND OBSEQUIES IN EARNEST PRAYED.
JOHN THE BAPTIST’S CHURCH OF KANE
ANCIENT FOUNDATIONS INTACT REMAIN
STEEPED IN HISTORY - SACRED SHRINE;
BLURRED ETCHING ON TABLETS OF TIME;
A HALLOWED SITE IN TERMINAL DECLINE.
—- LOT
