Clare Genealogy: Graveyard Inscriptions - Donated material: Feenagh Graveyard, Sixmilebridge

The Clare Roots Society

In its ongoing activity of recording gravestone inscriptions in Clare, the Society undertook the work in Feenagh Cemetery, Sixmilebridge in May 2010. The work was handled by Eric & Breda Shaw.

Based on the experiences of the Society in undertaking similar work in Drumcliff, Killone, Clare Abbey and other local cemeteries, an agreed template for recording the inscriptions was decided upon and work commenced. The Society produced a map showing that there were about 50 graves to be recorded and photographed.

Parish of Feenagh
The Parish of Feenagh in the Barony of Bunratty Lower and south-eastern part of the Co. of Clare, is bounded on the north by Kilmurry, south by Kilfintan, east by Kilfeenaghta and Kilfintanan and west by Bunratty, Dromline and Toomfinlough Parishes. See Field Name Book.

The Irish form of the name of this Parish is Fiodhnach, pronounced Feenagh, and means nothing more than the Woody Place, being of the same origin with Fiodhnach of Moy-Rein in the Co. of Leitrim.

There is no recollection or monument of a Patron Saint in this Parish unless a Holy Well dedicated to St. Mochuille of Tulla and situated in the Townland of Rathmore about a mile south of the old Church of Feenagh, might have some connection with him.

The old Church of Feenagh in the Townland of that name measures fifty feet in length and eighteen feet in breadth. The east gable is down to the ground but the other parts remain in good preservation. The west gable has nothing in it worthy of notice. There is a semicircular doorway in the south side fifteen feet from the west gable, measuring seven feet in height and four feet two inches in breadth on the inside; five feet six inches in height and two feet five inches in breath on the outside, where it is built up of well cut lime stones. There is a window in the same side within four feet of the east end, measuring three feet in height and four feet three inches in breadth on the inside where it is quadrangular, and three feet from the present level of the ground; on the outside it measures three feet in height and five inches in breadth, pointed at top.

The side walls are about twelve feet in height and three and a half feet in thickness, built of large rough stones laid in irregular courses; the angles built up of cut stones. There is a small burying ground attached to the Church.

(Ordnance Survey Letters by John O'Donovan and Eugene Curry)

Feenagh cemetery is well maintained. Some fine examples of stone-cutting were found particularly on the recumbent tombstones, with ornate decoration and lettering. Most of the stones were of local limestone and date from 1717. They number about 62 and there are almost 100 in unidentified stone grave –markers. That work has now been completed and it is hoped that the findings will be of interest to the local community and to genealogists locally and much further afield. Scattered over the cemetery are rough stones marking the graves of deceased persons. Clare Roots Society wishes to record its gratitude to those volunteers who undertook the work.

The correct copying of inscriptions from old gravestones is fraught with difficulties. It is inevitable that mistakes will occur. While every effort has been made to record the individual gravestones as accurately as possible, Clare Roots Society wishes to apologise to any individual or family whose family records are recorded in error. Should any family or individual become aware of errors to these records, please contact mailbox@clarelibrary.ie