Kileely Old Graveyard, also known as St. Lelia’s. St. Lelia is believed to be Liadhain, a Dalcassian, the daughter of Diarmuid whose grandfather Cairtheann was converted to Christianity by St. Patrick. The feast to St. Lelia is held on the 11th August.
Kileely is an ancient graveyard which once housed a church and roundtower, it fell out of common use in the 1850s due to sanitary concerns in the locality. During this period St. Bridget’s Graveyard opened at Watchhouse Cross and a few years later Mount Saint Lawrence opened. In the early 1900s the graveyard was officially closed, though it was often used as a children’s burial ground and families with long standing graves continue to use them to this day.
Overview of the Graveyard as it is today
The following is an incomplete survey of over 60 grave markers in Kileely graveyard.
Click on the family names for a link to an image of the headstone.
Babies – This plaque is in memory of all the babies buried here. Erected by bereaved Families.
Barry – John Barry of Sexton / Street/ His wife Frances/ Buried here/ His father John Barry died/ ?? Nov 18?? Aged 38/ His mother Ellen Barry died/ 19 May 1852 aged 52 years/ His sister Mary died 21 January 1837 aged 18 years (John Barry senior was a spirit retailer in Boherbouy in 1837)
Behan – To the memory of/ Mary Behan/ Died April 26 1859/ May she rest in peace/ Amen
Brew – Jane Brew/ Died/ Mar/ 1894/ Aged 10 Months (Jane born 18 July 1893 was the daughter of Michael Brew, a labourer, and Jane Brew nee Markham, New Road Thomondgate)
Byrnes – Erected/ By/ John Byrnes/ In memory of his father/ David Byrnes/ Who departed his life/ 17th January 1837/ Aged 77 years/ Also his mother/ Bridget Byrnes/ illegible
Carmody – This stone was erected by/ Thomas Carmody in memory/ of his father Cornelious/ Carmody his mother and/ sisters
Cavanagh – This Tablet/ is erected/ by/ Emilly (Emily) Cavanagh/ in memory of her beloved son/ Michael Cavanagh/ who died June 29th 1844/ aged 28 years/ Also her beloved husband/ Bartholomew Cavanagh/ Died June 29th 1841/ Aged 66 years
Collins – This stone was erectd/ by Mary Keating elias (alias) Collins in memory of/Her son Patrick Keatin(g)/ Who depd This life Fbry/ 1st 1790 Aged 10 years
Conway – Erected by Mary Con/way in memory of her/ husband Thomas Mc/Mahon who departed/ life October 29 1794/ Aged 39 years
Curry – Erected/ By/ Terence Curry/ In Memory of his beloved wife/ Bridget Curry/ Who departed this life/ February 20th 1852/ Aged 44 years/ Also 16 of his children/ who died young
Delany – Pierce Delany/ .. mem of his Daugh/er Eliza who depd/this life May 23rd 1810/ Aged 3(?)7 Years
Dillon – Ertd by Sarah Dillon in memory/ of her husband & Children Danl (Daniel)/ Dillon died Dec .. Aged../ May he rest in peace
Dillon – In loving memory of/ John Vaughan/ Died ?? 1887 Aged 69/ His daughters/ Bridget died 10 Feb 1940 aged 94/ Kate died 17 May 1948 aged 92/ His son John/ Died 4 Feb 1928 aged 64./ His wife Lizzie nee Dillon died 20 Jan 1887 aged 28/ His wife Bridget nee Tierney/ Died 30 Jan 1933, aged 75/ Their daughter/ Mary Kiely nee Vaughan/ died 8 March 1983 aged 85/ And her husband James Kiely died June 1966 aged 76
Doherty – Beneath/ are deposed the persons/ M? Mary Doherty/ Who Departed this life Oct/ the 12th 1847/In the 64th Year of her Age
Durkin – Erected by Thomas Durkin late of/ the 6th Dragoons Guards and/ by wife Marg (Margaret) Durkin (nee) Wexted/ to the fond & endearing remember/ of beloved and only daughter Catherine Wixted who departed/ this life January the 21st 1838 Aged/ 17 years
Fitzmaurice – Erected/ By/ John Fitzmaurice
Galvin – In loving memory/ of/ Arthur Galvin/ Died/ June 12th 1918/ Age 20 years/ RIP (Arthur Galvin was an unmarried pork butcher living at 8 Farranshone, he died of TB)
Grady – To the memory/ David Grady who died/ ? Dec 1836 aged 2 yrs/ 10 months also Denis/ died 1837 aged 2 yrs/ 6 mon nd Eliza who died 27th March ??/ Aged 10 months/ Mary Grady died Aug 24 ??/ aged 3 yrs/ 10 months
Green – Here lie, the body of Matthew/ Green who depd this life Febr 6th/ 1790 Also his wife Mary Green/ who dept this life May 8th 178?/…./ Also Arthur …. May/ …./ Also his wife Mary… who dept/ this life…. aged … years
Grimes – Sacred/ to the memory of/ Arthur Grimes/ Died December ??/ Aged 86 years
Haddick – This stone erected by/ Dens (Denis) Kennelly in Me/mory of his wife Ann/ Kennelly alias Hadick Departed this life Jul/y 20 1781 also her/ Brothr (brother) Thos (Thomas) Haddick/ Deprtd this life in/ March 1777
Hanrahan – This stone is erected/ by Dennis McNamara in/ memory of his father/ James McNamara also by/ Dennis McNamara in/ memory of his brother/ who departed this life/ the 5 day of April 1828/ Aged 54 years May he/ Rest in Peace Amen/ Erected by John Hanrahan in memory of his father & mother/ Martin Hanrahan died 1851/ Ellen Hanrahan died May 21 1874
Hart – ?EMRY (memory) … HART HOW (who) DIED APREL (April) 29 1854 AGED 16 YERS (years) MAY HIS SOUL REST IN PASC (peace) AMEN
Healy – Erectd by Mary Healy/ in memory of her husd (husband)/ Michael Healy who/ Died May the ? Aged/ 34 years/AD 1803
Higgins – This tomb is erected by/ Denis Higgins/ In memory of his Mother/ illegible
Hurly – Erected by Michael Hurly in/ memory of his father who/ departed this life June the/ 20th 1835 aged 60 years/ and allso (also) his mother/ departed this life August/ the 25th 1839 aged 54 years
Hurly – This stone was placed here/ by Mathew Hurly and Murty Mahony/ in memory of their children/ Anne Hurly who departed this life/ August 20th 1848 aged 8 years/ Murty Mahony who departed this life/April 18th 1857 aged 6 years.
Hynes – Erected/ By/ John Hynes in mem/ of his sons Thos (Thomas) died 16th July/ 1822 Aged 17 Yrs/ And John Died 17th Nov 1831/ Aged 15 Yrs
IK – IK
Iron Cross – IHS
Keating – This stone was erectd/ by Mary Keating elias (alias) Collins in memory of/Her son Patrick Keatin(g)/ Who depd This life Fbry/ 1st 1790 Aged 10 years
Kiely – In loving memory of/ John Vaughan/ Died ?? 1887 Aged 69/ His daughters/ Bridget died 10 Feb 1940 aged 94/ Kate died 17 May 1948 aged 92/ His son John/ Died 4 Feb 1928 aged 64./ His wife Lizzie nee Dillon died 20 Jan 1887 aged 28/ His wife Bridget nee Tierney/ Died 30 Jan 1933, aged 75/ Their daughter/ Mary Kiely nee Vaughan/ died 8 March 1983 aged 85/ And her husband James Kiely died June 1966 aged 76
Kelly – Erected by/ Thomas Kelly/ In Memory/ of/ His Loving Father/ Michael Kelly/ Who Died/ May 10th 1912/ RIP (Michael Kelly was of Old Francis Street and passed away aged 44 of a cerebral haemorrhage in the Workhouse)
Kelly – Erected by Wm (William) Kelly/ Memory of his Brother/ John who depd this life/ Sep 9th 1803 Aged 24 yrs/ May he Rest in peace/ Amen
Kelly – Erected/ by/ John Kelly in memory of/ His beloved son/ William who died August 4/ 1867 aged 26 years
Kennedy – To the memory of/ Andrew Kennedy/ who died November 26th 1876/ Aged 25 years/ This monument was erected/ By his friends as a tribute/ of respect for his devotion/ to the cause of his country/ Let every honest heart who reads this scroll/ Pray God save Ireland and his noble soul
Kennedy – Erected by Andrew/ Kennedy in memory of his/ Father, Brother also his Nephew Patrick Kennedy/ Who died Aug 11th 1793/ Aged 17 years May they/ rest in peace Amen
Kennedy – Erected/ ..ndrew (Andrew) Jas (James) Kennedy/ illegible
Kennelly – This stone erected by/ Dens (Denis) Kennelly in Me/mory of his wife Ann/ Kennelly alias Hadick Departed this life Jul/y 20 1781 also her/ Brothr (brother) Thos (Thomas) Haddick/ Deprtd this life in/ March 1777
Kenyon – This tomb was erectd by Mary Kenyon/ In memory of her beloved husband/ Patrick Kenyon who died April 19th 1847/ Aged ?? years (Patrick was a grocer from Thomondgate)
Kerby – Erected by Hanora Kerby/ in memory of her husband/ Tho (Thomas) Kerby who died/ .. 1840
Lloyd– Erected/ by/ Eliza Lloyd in memo/ry of her beloved husb/and James Lloyd who/ depd his life March the 19th 1849 aged 33 years (James Lloyd was a mate on board the ‘Jane Black’ Ship)
Lyons – This tomb erected by John/ Lyons in memory of his mother/ Hanora Lyons dept life May 25/ 1772 aged 49 Lord have mercy/ on her soul
Mahony – This stone was placed here/ by Mathew Hurly and Murty Mahony/ in memory of their children/ Anne Hurly who departed this life/ August 20th 1848 aged 8 years/ Murty Mahony who departed this life/April 18th 1857 aged 6 years.
McDonnell – In loving memory of/ Patrick McDonnell/ Died Jan 22 1942 aged 69 yrs/ Bridget McDonnell/ Died Nov 30 1965 aged 89 yrs/ Their children/ Chrissie, David, Patricia/ Patrick J McDonnell/ Died 28 Feb 1977 Aged 57 yrs/ Mary Jo McDonell/ Died 24 Dec 1980 aged 74 yrs/ R.I.P. (Patrick and Brisget McDonnell lived in 3 Old Dominic Street at the time of their deaths)
McInerney – In loving memory of/ The McInerney Family/ Kilnacree Sixmilebrige/ Born R.I.P. Died/ 1909 Catherine 1916/ 1868 Patrick NT 1933/ 1877 Sarah 1940/ 1872 James 1945/ 1915 Michael 1985/ 1915 Eileen
McInerney – In Loving memory of/ Patrick McInerney/ Died 1920 aged 50 years/ his wife Mary/ Died 1924 aged 72 years/ And all the McInerney/ Family/ Andrew McInerney/ Died 27. Sept 1983/ Aged 88 years
McMahon– Erected/ By/ Michael McMahon/ in memory of his parents/ Also his son/ Michael/ Who died Jan 16th 1856 aged 4 years
McNamara – This stone is erected/ by Dennis McNamara in/ memory of his father/ James McNamara also by/ Dennis McNamara in/ memory of his brother/ who departed this life/ the 5 day of April 1828/ Aged 54 years May he/ Rest in Peace Amen/ Erected by John Hanrahan in memory of his father & mother/ Martin Hanrahan died 1851/ Ellen Hanrahan died May 21 1874
McNamara – Pray for the soul/ of/ Matthew McNamara/ Who died 1st Dec 1910/ Aged 86 yeas/ And of Margaret McNamara/ Who died ? Feb 1931/ Aged 68 years
McNamara – This tomb is erected by/ Daniel & Cornalius (Cornelius) McNamara/ in memory of their father/ Michl (Michael) McNamara who depd/ this life March 25 1836 aged 56 yrs/ Also by Patk (Patrick) McNamara in/memory of his father Daniel aged 82yrs
Minehan – Erected by/ James Minehan in memory/ of his son John Minehan/ who depts. life Sept/ the ?/ 1857 aged ?8 years/ Also Patt (Patrick) and Mary Minehan
Minouge – Erected/ by/ … Minouge in memory of/ his children Timothy who dept ?? 27th 1838/… & Bridget/.. 184?/
O’Brien – Her lies the body of …/ O’Brien who…
O’Brien – Erected/ by/ Catherine and Ellen O’Brien/ In memory of their dear parents/ James and Ellen O’Brien/ also/ Their brothers James and John
O’Hara – Ertd by Mary O’Hara/ in memory of her beloved/ husband Dinis (Denis) O’Hara/ eho dep this life Apr/ 5th 1819 aged 49 yrs
O’Halloran – Sylvester O’Halloran/ 1728-1807/ Historian Surgeon/ Antiquary Patriot/ His country’s honours and good name ever found him a ready and unflinching champion. /Erected by the St Senan’s Historical Society.
Organ – This stone was erected/ by John Organ in memory/ of his beloved son Michl (Michael)/ who died October the 9th/ 1847 aged 3 yrs ?? mon(ths)
O’Seachnaig – O’Seachnaig (O’Shaughnessy)/ agus/ a curum
Reynolds – Erected/ By/ Patrick Reynolds/ In Memory of his beloved father/ Patrick Reynolds who died/ November 21st 1865 Aged 58 Years/ Also His Moter (mother) Catherine who died/ April 20th 1853 aged 36 years/ And his 5 brothers
Shann – Erected by/ Michael Shann?/ in memory of his beloved/ child Marie who departed/ this life February 18 1836/ May she rest in peace Amen
Stapleton – illegible
Sullivan – Erected/ by Timothy Sullivan/in memory of his beloved son/ John Sullivan/ Who died …ary the 5th 1831/ aged 21 years
Tierney – In loving memory of/ John Vaughan/ Died ?? 1887 Aged 69/ His daughters/ Bridget died 10 Feb 1940 aged 94/ Kate died 17 May 1948 aged 92/ His son John/ Died 4 Feb 1928 aged 64./ His wife Lizzie nee Dillon died 20 Jan 1887 aged 28/ His wife Bridget nee Tierney/ Died 30 Jan 1933, aged 75/ Their daughter/ Mary Kiely nee Vaughan/ died 8 March 1983 aged 85/ And her husband James Kiely died June 1966 aged 76
Tobin – From Loving Thought’s/ The People of Limerick/ Remember/ Young Jason Tobin/ And all the Children Buried here/ in unmarked, and marked graves/ within this graveyard/ Sleep Sortly, Little Angels/ From All Your Family’s/ We Love You
Vaughan – In loving memory of/ John Vaughan/ Died ?? 1887 Aged 69/ His daughters/ Bridget died 10 Feb 1940 aged 94/ Kate died 17 May 1948 aged 92/ His son John/ Died 4 Feb 1928 aged 64./ His wife Lizzie nee Dillon died 20 Jan 1887 aged 28/ His wife Bridget nee Tierney/ Died 30 Jan 1933, aged 75/ Their daughter/ Mary Kiely nee Vaughan/ died 8 March 1983 aged 85/ And her husband James Kiely died June 1966 aged 76
White – Here lieth the body of/ Bridget White who depar/ this life March 20th 1787/ May she rest in peace/ Amen aged 80
Wilkinson – … The Body of/ …inson (Wilkinson) died/… 44 (1844) aged 26/… e (the) memory of/ Her son Thomas Wilkinson/ and her beloved mother/ Mary Ma??in and her af/fectionate
Wixted – Erected by Thomas Durkin late of/ the 6th Dragoons Guards and/ by wife Marg (Margaret) Durkin (nee) Wexted/ to the fond & endearing remember/ of beloved and only daughter Catherine Wixted who departed/ this life January the 21st 1838 Aged/ 17 years
Many of the headstones are illegible, some are simple stones markers while others are extremely ornate including symbols of the moon, sun, an hour glass, a trumpeter and angels.
