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Research guide

A History of Irish Headstones

A seven-part history of Irish headstones and epitaphs by Cara Links, tracing grave markers from pagan pillar-stones and ogham inscriptions through medieval brasses to the epitaphs genealogists read today, with a glossary of Latin tombstone terms and a collection of notable Irish epitaphs.

By Cara Links

Part One

Levity in the churchyard may seem, a strange phenomenon to us now, but the custom of using the church yard for sport, and markets and pleasure was an old established custom and persistent one. There are records as early as the fourth century of St Basil protesting against the holding of markets in churchyards on the pretext of making preparations for festivals.

How Irish Epitaphs Began

The headstone with their epitaphs that we know today are descendants of the great stone monuments of megalithic Europe, known as menhirs, dolmens and cromlechs- A menhir a single upright stone, which may have been a memorial of an event or a Celtic hero.

The dolmen which means *Table Stone* is a stone chamber consisting of several stones set up on edge and covered by a horizontal slab Such Structures may be all that is left of an elongated grave mound called a long-barrow.

The Cromlech is a ring of standing stones generally surrounding a menhir or a dolmen.

Ireland's early cemeteries were in sacred places detached from living areas or within the enclosure of raths ( circular earthworks) or cashels.

Pagan Burial places were gradually abandoned after the introduction of Christianity in the fifth century; the dead were then placed in consecrated cemeteries attached to primitive churches. The fashions in monuments in pagan graveyards were carried over to Christian times, and stones still exist today with a mixture of pagan and Christian symbolism on them.

One pagan custom that lasted for a long time was the placing of a cairn of stones over the grave,

It was an early wish to be buried on a hill and often the elevation was enhanced by placing a duma, or burial mound, on the hill, here the dead person was placed, perhaps in a shallow stone coffin, and sometimes around the duma a circle of pillar-stones were erected. The pillar -stone developed into our headstone with its Christian inscriptions.

The oldest pillar stone in Ireland, Scholars believe and therefore Ireland's oldest epitaph is that of

Lugnad ( Lugna) traditionally identified as the son of the sister of St Patrick, at Templepatrick, Inchagoill, Lough Corrib it reads.

LIE LUGNAEDON MACC LMENUEH

( The Stone of Lugnaed son of Limenueh)

Of course Ireland's earliest were in ogham, that curious writing form of 25 letters set in a combination of one to five parallel strokes in various positions down a central line.

And one of those old Ogham stones was recorded by antiquary Dr George Petrie in 1845 and reads;

This is Eochaid Airgthech;-"Slew me in an encounter with Finn

Epitaphs that most people today would recognize are found on graveslabs of the Early Christian Monasteries, In his *Chronicle of the Tombs ( 1851) Dr J T Pettigrew cites what he believed to be the earliest Christian Irish Epitaph and he noted the inscription

C(APIT) I BRECANI

This set in a cross in a circle related to the sixth century St Brecon

But moving on

From the mid-fifteenth century to the mid 17th century the incised slab in Latin or English started to appear for the poorer folk, these were craft slabs for smiths, ploughmen etc.

The 16th Century saw the rise of sculptors who designed particular tombstones and one of those was Rory O'Tunney whose circa 1526 tomb to Piers Fitz Oge Butler at the Cistercian Abbey at Kilcooley, Co Tipperary is a fine example .

St Mochuda's cathedral Lismore Co Waterford has an individualised tomb to the MacGrath family showing a rare example of named figures.

The 17th Century in Ireland saw the flat slabs give way to the more ornate tombstones and embellishment of stones with the symbols of death.

Symbols have a rich history in The Irish Churchyards. The most popular symbols were the spade and scythe, the all -seeing-eye with a serpent and open book with quill pen and skull and cross-bones, the deaths head above an hour glass and the winged angel of death.

Looking for Epitaphs

It is not a platitude to say that the richest source of epitaphs is the burial ground for they seem to crop up in the most unlikely places in Ireland.

In the main the oldest graves, in the church yards, are to be found at the south side of the church, as people wished, to avoid the shadow of the church falling on their graves. This was considered very unlucky, and the north was associated with the devil-that is the main reason why suicides were buried to the North of a churchyard to act as first line of defence against the devil.

Superstition therefore may be cited, as the explanation why- churchyards are often on the south side - not the north, or higher than the road outside the church door sill; for it was the medieval custom to bury the dead on top of the others, and so the gradually the ground became elevated.

At Carrickmore there were separate cemeteries for suicides, children and slain soldiers.

Beside the church graveyards other likely places to look for epitaphs include castle cemeteries, and fort burials to name two that are worth a look at is Fethard Castle Co Tipperary and Duncannon Fort Co Wexford, the latter shows how gravestones were used for purposes other than marking the resting place of the dead, as they were often used in paths and lintels for fireplaces and wall repair..

A graveyard worthy of a visit for the wide chronology of epitaphs is Glendalough Co Wicklow, headstones there begin in the 11th century and follow on to the 19th century examples.

What we are seeking in an Epitaph, is of course the link to our ancestors but they tell you more than just he lived and he died

Sometimes they include the name of children, wife brother sister, what he worked at what his interests were.

Some epitaphs can also tell you of Ireland's disasters, and example take from St Dubhan's church tower, Hook Co Wexford

'Erected To The Memory Of Wm. Cobhead, Master Of The Barke Esther Of Liverpool Who With Some Of His Crew Were Lost On This Coast In The Fearful Gale On Sunday The 20th April 1822.'

The same can be said of the 19th century

And Another Relating To The Sea Can Be Found At Holy Trinity -Parish Of Castlemacadam Co Wicklow

Sacred To The Memory Of Captain James Thomas Belton, Ss City Of Dundee, By Whose Gallantry All The Passengers Were Saved When During A Fog The Vessel Was Run Into And Sank In The Bay Of Cardigan Early On The Morning Of 4th October 1908

"When Thou Passest Through The Waters I Will Be With Thee'

Two Of The Officers Both Irishmen Patrick Leban Second Officer Aged 45 Years And Thomas Burke Quatermaster Aged 47 Years, Shared The Same Glorious End Going Down With The Ship

The Story Is Written In Stone Side Three

The Remains Were Washed Ashore At Ennereilly And Here By Loving Hands Laid To Rest On Hallow Eve

His Name Is One Of The First Inscribed On The Carnegie Trust Roll Of Heroes, Born At Hull 20th Nov 1836

From The Parish Priest Register I Gleaned This Note:

Washed Ashore At Ennereilly. Vessel Sank In 15 Minutes S ( Salvage) Mission The Capt Saved All The Passengers But Lost His Own Life By So Doing

One Pound Fee Paid But Reduced.

Part Three

As well as giving birth and death details epitaphs have been used for other purposes.

Lord Byron ( 1788-1824) counselled never to believe "an epitaph, or any other thing that's false'. And Alexander Pope ( 1688-1744) cursed those who "taught epitaphs to lie".

Epitaphs have been used for propaganda and none more blatant than that in the graveyard of the Covenanting Meeting House at Baillies Mill Drumbeg Co Down, on the tomb of William Graham of Creevy who died 1828, aged 63.

He wrote these lines for his tombstone to justify his position.

*First I leave my testimony against all the errors of Popery, which constitute the Man of Sin and Son of Perdition.Whom my Lord shall destroy by the brightness of His Coming.*

Secondly: *Against Prelacy now set on the throne of Britain,which shall shortly fall like Dagon by the sword of Him who sits on the white horse. For this end, Oh thou Mighty God, gird they sword upon thy thigh, and thy right hand shall teach Thee terrible things.

Thirdly:-* I testify against all who deal falsely in the cause of Christ; all who own the Covenant National and Solemn League, and yet sware allegiance to the support of Prelacy. Oh Lord, to Thee and rule the Nations, and destroy these two great Idols , Popery and Prelacy, with that rod of Iron Thou hast received from Thy Father.

Lastly;-* I Testify against all opposers of the Covenanted cause, all who have departed from Reformation, and I die giving my full approbation of that cause, for which the Martyrs suffered, and which they sealed with their blood.

Arise, Oh Lord, and plead thy own cause.

Graham was a fanatical supporter of the Covenanting cause- those pledged to uphold the Presbyterian faith against prelacy and popery - and cites the smiting of Dagon.

Dagon was once of the gods of the Phoenician creation legend.

Dates on an epitaph may well be the only clue before 1863 that shows when your ancestor may have died as it was not compulsory to register a death before that date.

An assessment from epitaphs shows that during the years 1831-1841 in Ireland merchants and prosperous folk could hope to live to 55-60 years and the poor expired at 35-40 years.

Understanding Epitaphs

Decoding old epitaphs can for the beginner be difficult when the stone has been written in Latin some phrases found on old stones

  • A.D. -Anno Domini: -In the Year of Our Lord
  • Ad mairoem Dei gloriam :- For the greater glory of God( the motto of the Society of Jesus)
  • Adsum:- Here I am
  • Aetatis suae;- Of his ( or her) age. On its own Aetis ;- 'Of the age' while aetatis suae means 'in the particular year of a person's life'. Many tombstones had such inscriptions as "DIED AETATIS SUAE 87', OR 'AS 87'. Sometimes the expression appeared as 'anno aetatis suae ( in the year of his or her age).
  • Aeternum vale;- Farewell forever
  • Amicus humani generis:- A Humanitarian a philanthropist.
  • Beatae memoriae" Of blessed memory
  • Consummatum est :- It is completed ( Christ's last words on the cross John 19:v30).
  • Dei gratia:- By the grace of God.
  • De mortuis nihil nisi bonum: Speak kindly of the dead.
  • Deo favente:- With God's favour. Sometimes appears on gravestones as an alternative to Deo gratias ( Thanks to God)
  • Deus misereatur:- May God have Mercy.
  • Domino optimo maximo:- To the Lord God, supreme ruler of the world ( The motto of the Benedictine Order).
  • Durante vita :-During life
  • Errare Humanum est: To err is human.
  • Et sequentes ( sequential):- And those that follow.
  • Ex voto:- According to one's wishes
  • Fama semper vivat:- May his ( or her) good name live forever.
  • Fecit:- Made it
  • Floruit:- ( often expressed as fl.)He or she flourished . This is sometimes placed on tombstones when the exact date of birth is not known.
  • Hic Jacet:- Here lies
  • Hoc loco :- In his place
  • In memoriam :- In memory of
  • In perpetuum: Forever. Sometimes in Pperpetuo.
  • Natus est: Born
  • Obiit:- He or she died
  • Obiit sine prole:- he or she died without issue
  • Requiescat in pace:- May he or she rest in peace. Sometimes as Requiescant in pace ( May they rest in peace)
  • Respice finem:- Look before you leap. The full adage from which this is taken is Quidquid agas prudenter agas et respice finem ( Whatever you do, do with caution, and look to the end).
  • Resurgam: I shall rise again.
  • Sic transit Gloria mundi:- So passes away the glory of the world. A popular epitaph from De Imitaition Christi by Thomas A Kempis the German mystic.
  • Siste viator:- Stop traveller
  • Sit tibi terra levis: May the earth be light upon you.
  • Terras es, terram ibis:- Dust thou art, to dust thou shalt return.
  • Tempus figiy:- Time flies
  • Vixit ---- annos :- He or she lived (a certain number of years ).

Relationships although there are alternatives to express same relation these below were the most common on epitaphs

  • Pater;- Father
  • Mater-Mother
  • Filius- Son
  • Filia - Daughter
  • Uxor- Wife
  • Maritus-Husband
  • Socer: father In law
  • Socrus- mother in law
  • Gener- son in law
  • Nursus- Daughter in law
  • Amita- Aunt
  • Patrius-Uncle
  • Consobrinus- Cousin ( male)
  • Consobrina- Cousin ( female)
  • Homo-Man
  • Femina- Woman
  • Infans- Child
  • Puer- Boy
  • Puella- Girl
  • Avus- Grandfather
  • Avia - Grandmother

Part Five

A little knowledge of Latin can unlock some interesting stories set in epitaphs.

For instance the epitaph of Miler Magrath R.C.Bishop of Down, who traded his religion once to become the Protestant Archbishop of Cashel. This Franciscan man wrote his own epitaph, which is set on a tomb at Cashel Cathedral.

He died in 1621 aged 100 years and, wrote a mystery into the last couplet of his epitaph

Venerat In Dunum Primo Sanctissimus Olim
Patricius Nostri Gloria Magna Soli
Huic Ego Succedens, Ultinam Tam Sanctus Ut
Ille
Sec Duni Primo Tempore Praesul Eram.
Anglia Lustra Decem Sed Post Tua Scepta
Colebam,
Principibus Placui Marte Tonante Tuis
His Ubi Sum Positus Non Sum, Sum Non Ubi Non
Sum.
Sum Nec In Ambobus Sum Nec Utroqcue Loci.

Which when read in a language you understand quickly reads.

Patrick, the glory of our isle and gown,
First a bishop in the see of down
I wish that I, succeeded him in place
As bishop, had an equal grace,
I served thee, England, fifty years in jars
And pleased thy princes in the midst of wars.
Here where I'm placed I'm not; and thus the case is
I'm not in both, yet am in both the places.

Historians have suggested that the last two lines suggest that the Archbishop had a reversal of faith at the end and had his buried elsewhere.

Part Six

Epitaphs on Monumental Brasses and church memorials engraved on brass were utilised during the middle ages as an alternative to the general tombstones, their heyday being from the 13th to the 18th century ( although it was not brass they used or bronze but an amalgam of copper, zinc, lead and tin)

And much of these works were imported from the Low Countries and Germany.

Brasses covered several categories, Knights and Ladies, Husbands, civilians, merchants and scholars, and some miscellaneous categories.

Today only five medieval brasses are to be found in Ireland with four being in St Patrick's Cathedral and one in the Christchurch Cathedral in Dublin-dated at around circa 1580, which shows the sons of Sir Arthur Grey -two children and one babe in swaddling clothes ( referred to as a Chrysom).

The four in St Patricks-

  • 1528 - Dean Robert Sutton
  • 1537- Dean Geoffry Fyche
  • 1579- Sir Edward Fiton and his wife Anne and their nine sons.
  • 1580-Lady and Infant

Several of Ireland's other churches have brasses but these are generally of the Victorian era and simply show the name and ages sometimes a description.

An Association for the Preservation of the Memorials of the Dead. Was a brainchild of Col. Philip Doyne Vigors ( 1825-1903)

Vigors and his helpers preserved on record many hundreds of epitaphs from headstones which have now vanished or are in a bad state or repair.

The Associations journal is a mine of information on tombs and epitaphs.

And they were recorded under the publication named

Irish Memorials of the Dead, Ed.P.D. Vigors &c, Vol 1 ( 1888)-X111(1)

Some of Irelands most popular Epitaphs

"Dear Friend As You Pass By
As You Are Now So Once Was I.
As I Am Now So You Must Be
Prepare The Way To Follow Me."

Hodie mihi, cras tibi
( My turn today, yours tomorrow)

Memento, Homo, quia pulvis es et in pulverem revertis.
( Remember, man, that dust thou art, and to dust shalt thou return)

Remember man as you pass by,
As you are now so once was I,
As I am now so you will be,
Prepare for death and follow me
( someone added the following words)
To follow you I am content
But I'm dammed If I know
Which way you went.

For life at best is but a crooked street,
Death the market place where all must meet
If life were merchandise that gold would buy
The rich would live
The poor alone would die.

This verse in many versions can now be found all over the world but this one appeared in Kurrajong Churchyard Sydney New South Wales Australia

Charles Larry is my name
Ireland is my nation
Wexford in my native place
And Christ is my salvation

Another version of he old verse is this one from Clondegad

Here lies the body of John Glasclune
While loved and like by all who knew him
In his youth a chatty lad,
Lies sleeping here in Clondegad.
All you young men as you pass by,
As you are now so once was I
And as I am now so you will be,
Remember this and pray for me

From the Ballyporeen Churchyard Tipperary

On Teague O'Brien
Here I at length repose
My spirit now at aise is,
With the tips of my toes
And the point of my nose
Turn'd up to the roots of the daises.

Mayne Cemetery Cloughead Co Louth
Beneath this stone here lieth one
That still his friends did please,
To Heaven, I hope, he is surely gone,
To enjoy eternal ease.
He Drank, he sang while here on earth,
Lived happy as a lord
And now he hath resigned his breath,
God rest him, Paddy Ward.

During the 1880's a Rev Thomas Pegg made a visit to Ireland and his itinerary included Maynooth, Mullingar, Dublin, Ballymahon, Athlione, Birr,Monasterein and Naas. During his travels as he was a keen epitaph hunter he jotted into a leather bound book many epitaphs from graveyards within his travels, but he never noted which they were from.

So from his jottings comes the following.
Here lies, praise God a woman who
Scolded and stormed her whole life through:
Tread Gently o'er her rotting form
Or else you'll raise another storm.

Here lies one Thomas Foote
Whose bones may hundreds save
For death now has one foot
Entombed within the grave.

Weep not for me, my husband dear
Keep in mind that I lie here.
And when thou'st scour'd and cleaned and pined
Think on why I left it all behind.

And from Youghal Co Cork

Here lies poor but honest Cecil Pratt.
He was a most expert angler, until death, envious of his merit,
Threw out his line, and hooked him, and landed him here.
Died 14 June 1973 aged 67 years.

Duncannon Fort, Co Wexford Ireland

Under Lyeth The Body Of Elizabeth
Timpson, Wife Of Captn Timpson
Who Died Ye 24th May 1736
Aged 31 Years
God Bless ye hands that lay'd this stone
And curs'd be that hands that moves her bones.

Cahir Co Tipperary

Oh Lord, here I lie, and no wonder I'm dead
A thumping great wagon went over my head.

John Genet of Oldbridge Co Meath
The Poor have his Almes
The Worlde has his Praise
The Heavens have his Soule, and
The grave has his bodie
1690

A very sad epitaph and indeed it tells a simple story Of so young a bride and mother

Twelve years was I a Maid
One year was I a wife;
Half and Hour I was a mother,
And then I lost my life.

1860 puzzle recorded by Samuel Palmer and all I know is it is the South of Ireland

Bene
AT. HT: HIS S. T.
Oneli ESKA
THARI Neg Rayc
Hang'd
F.R.
O! mab V. Syli Fetol
If. Ele
SS. CL.
Ayb. Ye AR
Th aN
Dcl-Ays
Hego
Therp. Elfa
ND
NO WS. HE'stur
N'D Toe ART
HH. ERsel Fy
EWEE..Pin
Gfr..I.En
D.S.L.
Et mea D
V1
Seab ATE yo
VRG
RIE Fan
DD
Ryy O! V.Rey
Esf. OR. WH
ATA
wAi...TSaflo
O! Doft Ears W.
Ho kNOwS
buT
ina RVNO
Fy Ears
In. So.Metall-
Pit.C
Hero. R .broa
D.P.
Ans. He.I
N.H.
Ers Hopma
Y.B.
E.AG.AIN.

Many worked over these letters until one day it clicked that this is what it said

Beneath this stone lies Katherine Gray,
Chang'd from a busy life to lifeless clay.
By earth and clay she got her pelf.(sic)
And now she's turn'd to earth herself.
Ye weeping friends- let me advise-
Abate your grief, and dry your eyes.
For what awaits a flood of tears?
Who knows, but, in a run of years,
In some tall pitcher or broad pan,
She in her shop may be again

For a Locksmith

A zealous locksmith dy'd of late,
And did arrive at Heaven's gate,
He stood without and would not knock,
Because he meant to pick the lock.

For Watchmakers Limerick Cathedral

Memento Mory
Here Lieth Little Samuel Barinton, The Great Undertaker
Of Famous City's Clock And Chime Maker;
He Made His One Time Goe Early And Latter
But Now He Is Returned To God His Creator.
The 19 Of November Thou Seest,
And For His Memory This Here Is Peast
By His Son Ben 1693.

Here lies in Horizontal position, the outside case
Of George Routledge, Watchmaker,
Whose abilities in that line were an Honour
To his profession:
Integrity was the Main-spring, and Prudence the
Regulator of all the Actions of his life:
Humane, generous, and liberal, his Hand never stopped
Till he had relieved distress.
So sincerely Regulated were all his Movements, that
He never Went Wrong, except when Set a-going
By people who did not know his Key:
Even then he easily Set Right again
He had the art of
Disposing this Time so well, that his hours
Glided away in continual Round of Pleasure and
Delight, till an unlucky Moment put a Period
To his existence.
He departed this life November 14th, 1802, aged 57.
Wound up in hopes of his being taken in hand by his
Maker and of being thoroughly Cleaned, Repaired, and Set a-going in the world to come.

The honest Miller-Kinnagh Co Wexford

Here lieth the body of
Anthony Reynolds a native of
The County Tyrone
He was faithful to his employer
And, although a Miller was an honest man.
Departed this life December 13th, 1790, aged 33 years.

Adamstown Co Wexford

Erected by John Broder in memry of his nephew John Murphy
Late of Camross who depd this live, Nov 6th 1835, agd 25 yrs.
Too good
On earth to stay
And leaves the bad
Too bad
To stay away.

Corofin Co Clare

In loving memory of Alice E Sharman, born Valpariso, Chile 3rd Nov 1877.
Died Corofin 25th Sept 1955
Our heart is restless till it
Findeth rest in thee.
Audrey Douglas born Conception Chile
January 25 1905. Died Cragmoher, July 20 1968
Here as ever sleeping sound
Lies our Audrey in the ground
If she wakes as wake she may
There's be fun on Judgement Day.

Ballyhuskard Co Wexford

Erected By Laurence Redmond In Memory Of His Father
Patrick Redmond And Mother Margaret Alias Sinnott
Depd This Life Jan 19, 1819
He Aged 79 & She 72 Years
Married We Were Upon A Day And Departed Upon Another.
Buried We Were In Native Clay In Both One Day Together.
Fifty Years And Two We Lived In Marriage State
Reader Pray For You Must See Death's Certain Fate.

Clonnattin Co Wexford

Erected by May Hughes Tubberduff
In memory of her husband
James Hughes, who depd. April 4th 1856 aged 30 years.
In love we lived, in peace we died
I craved his life but God denied.

Kilcavan ( Near Wellington Bridge) Co Wexford

Here lies the body of James Larken late of Kilcavan
Who depd, this life
May 1806 aged 21 years

Fethard on Sea St Mogues Co Wexford

This dreary region contains
Charles only beloved child
of Harriett Dixon.
His gentle spirit left the arms of his
Earthly advocate for the bosom of his Heavenly one on 6th of March 1815 aged 15 years

"Dear Boy within this stone
The mother's hopes receive their doom.

Knockbrack Graveyard Kesh Co Sligo

To the memory of John Kelly
Who departed this life on the
12th Sept 1868 aged 55 years
After a life of labour but
With a mind at ease

St Patrick's Cathedral Dublin

Here lieth the body of Alexander McGee, servant to Doctor Swifte of St Patrick's. His grateful master caused his monument to be erected in Memory of Discretion, Fidelity, and Diligence in that humble Station. Ob Mar 24 1723/24 Aetat.29.

And of course there was the master who wanted it known how generous he could be, as recorded on Irish servant John Quinny, who was in service of Sir Henry Chester for fifty-six years, were carved the words

*His master left him an anuuity of £8.

St Nicholas Churchyard Dundalk Co Louth

Sacred To The Memory Of John Ingham Late Quartr. Mafter 7th Dn Guards, Who Departed This Life 22nd July, 1817, Aged 62 Years Also Of Elizabeth Ingham His Wife Who Died 2nd Jany, 1818 Aged 58 Years This Stone Was Erected As A Tribute Of Filial Love By Their Daughter Anne Ingham.

The Governors Of The Louth Hospital Have Caused The Following Extract from Their Journal To Be Engraved On The Tombstone Of Their Late Warden And Matron, John And Eliza Ingham.

*That we have just cause to lament their decease: That their conduct as Servants of the Public uniformly regulated by the stricfet (sic) senfe (Sic) of integrity and oeconomy and as Warden of the Sick and maimed by the tender feelings of tenderniss ( sic): That in the care of the House generally they eftablished (sic) an admirable Sytem of order alfo cleanliness and were both in their own behaviour Sober, Respectable and Decorous: That we are very desirous to uphold their example in all respects for the imitation of those who may at any time hereafter succeed them

Same Graveyard as one above

Sacred to the memory of David Williams who departed this life the 18th day of March, 1824 aged 42 years.
This tribute of respect to a departed worth was placed by his affectionate mother,
Though boisterous winds and Neptune's waves
Have tossed me to and from,
In spite of both by God's decree
I harbour here below
When now at anchor I do lie
With many of our fleet,
In hope once more to sail
Our Saviour Christ to meet.

Burial epitaphs for Coastal graveyards of Ireland

At Anchor now in Death's dark road,
Rides honest Captain Hill,
Who served his King and feared his God,
With upright heart and will
In social life sincere and just,
To vice of no kind given;
So that his better part, we trust,
Hath made the Port of Heaven.

Kililagh Co Clare some of the crewmen of the Spanish Amada lie buried
And a simple epitaph says...

TAUMPLE NA SPANIG
( Burial place of the Spaniards)

A very simple epitaph says

Here I lies,
Killed by the X.I.S.
(the Excise)

Monknewton Drogheda Co Louth
Erected by Patrick Kelly
Of the town of Drogheda Mariner
In memory of his posterity
Also the above Patrick Kelly
Who departed this life the 12th August 1833
Aged 60 years
Requiescat in pace

John Hall of Dunleary
Through Boreas' spight and Neptune's foom,
I have ranged ye Ocean wide, by God's decree
It is my doom
Oct 3rd, 1750

Marmullane Graveyard Co Cork

Timothy Connell mariner murdered 1828 on the
"Mary Russell" out of Cork, by ship's master
You gentle reader that do pass this way
Attend a while adhere to what I say
By murder vile I was bereft of life
And parted from two lovely babes and wife
By Captain Stewart I met an early doom
On board the "Mary Russell" the 22nd of June
Forced from the world to meet my God on High
With whom I hope to reign eternally.

St Patrick's Creach Glendum Road Cushendum Co Antrim

On John McAlaster who served with Lord Nelson against the French
Here lies the body of John ... died 11March 1803
Aged 18 years
Your ship, love, is mored, head and starn, for a ful diew.

Knockbrack Graveyard Keash Co Sligo

John Cullen Mariner died in 1878 aged 62, all his life he fought sea and the bottle .

For 35 years and upwards
I fought king Alcohol.
With heart in hand
And tongue in a foreign land.
And I won the victory.
I am back again in the old country
Fighting the same old king
And so far I am victorious.

Irish all over the world

And of those Irish who are buried all over the world comes some particular epitaphs taken from a goldminers logbook, from Death Valley California.

Martha Mays of the gold Nugget saloon

Here Lies The Body Of Martha Mays
Who Was So Virginal In Stays
She Lived To The Age Of Three Score And Ten
And Gave To The Worms What She Refused To Men

Written by a Pete Connor of his wife

Who far below in this grave doth rest
She's join'd the army of the blest;
The Lord has ta'en her to the sky,
The Saints rejoice, and so do I.

Advertising on headstones

Oxford New Hampshire

Here lies Jane Smith, widow of Thomas Smith Marblecutter, this monument was erected by her husband as a tribute to her memory and a specimen of his work. Monuments of the same style 250 dollars.

And

Died on the 11th inst, at his shop, No 20 Greenwich St. Mr Edward Jones, much respected by all who knew and dealt with him. As a man he was amiable; as a hatter upright and moderate. His virtues were beyond all price, and his beaver hats were only three dollars each. He has left a widow to deplore his loss, and a large stock to be sold cheap, for the benefit of his family. He was snatched to the other world in the prime of his life, just as he had concluded an extensive purchase of felt; which he got cheap that his widow can supply hats at more reasonable rates than any house in the city. His dicon-solate family will carry on business with punctuality.

So having shared my work and paper with you I leave you now to ponder, on what may or may not be written, on that elusive headstone, that belongs to your own ancestors, having as yet not found my own great grandparents , I too, share that mystery ....

Cheers Cara

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