Ballinrobe's Graveyards

Photo:A 17th centaury  grave memorial located on the north wall of St. Mary's Church of Ireland, is an elegant memorial slab or tablet for Katherine Holcroft (died 20th January, 1668) who was married to Charles Holcroft or Holcrosse.  He was one of the Loughrea Commissioners at the time of the Acts of Settlement and Restoration.

A 17th centaury grave memorial located on the north wall of St. Mary's Church of Ireland, is an elegant memorial slab or tablet for Katherine Holcroft (died 20th January, 1668) who was married to Charles Holcroft or Holcrosse. He was one of the Loughrea Commissioners at the time of the Acts of Settlement and Restoration.

Photo Averil Staunton

Photo:Headstones in the Church of Ireland (now the Library) graveyard

Headstones in the Church of Ireland (now the Library) graveyard

Photo Averil Staunton

Photo:A table-stone memorial at the Augustin  Abbey graveyard, Ballinrobe

A table-stone memorial at the Augustin Abbey graveyard, Ballinrobe

Photo: Averil Staunton

Photo:The old graveyard at Carnalecks Church (Tempall Mór)

The old graveyard at Carnalecks Church (Tempall Mór)

Photo: J. Staunton

Photo:A walled in celtic cross memorial in the Church (ruin) on the Castlebar Road, Ballinrobe.

A walled in celtic cross memorial in the Church (ruin) on the Castlebar Road, Ballinrobe.

Photo: Averil Staunton

Photo:The cheap headstone style Memorial to all those who died at the Ballinrobe Workhouse site located off the Kilmaine Road and adjoining the water towers.

The cheap headstone style Memorial to all those who died at the Ballinrobe Workhouse site located off the Kilmaine Road and adjoining the water towers.

Photo: Averil Staunton

Photo:The Sisters graveyard at St. Joseph's Convent, Ballinrobe

The Sisters graveyard at St. Joseph's Convent, Ballinrobe

Photo: Pat McGovern

Photo:A Livesay headstone in the Tempall na Lecka graveyard at Cushlough, Ballinrobe.

A Livesay headstone in the Tempall na Lecka graveyard at Cushlough, Ballinrobe.

Photo: Averil Staunton

Photo:Memorial within St. Mary's Catholic Church of Rev. T. Hardiman d. 1874 markes the location of his original grave which was originally outside the Church before extensions were added.  Other members of the Clergy are buried outside within the grounds of St. Mary's Church

Memorial within St. Mary's Catholic Church of Rev. T. Hardiman d. 1874 markes the location of his original grave which was originally outside the Church before extensions were added. Other members of the Clergy are buried outside within the grounds of St. Mary's Church

Photo: Averil Staunton

'I am what you will be; I was what you are now'

By Averil Staunton

 

The gravestones and grave slabs in Ballinrobe’s graveyards are all testaments to a congregation that lived, worked and contributed to the social fabric of Ballinrobe; all part of our vanishing heritage. 

Unmarked graves

It must be remembered that many unmarked graves exist within some of these areas, particularly those that died of cholera and other epidemics that occurred in Ballinrobe.  The Workhouse graveyard is one such example.

The Church of Ireland graveyard contains, amongst others, a large unmarked burial plot for “the paupers” as recorded in their archives.  Sometimes, it can be difficult to find the plots for loved ones, as all evidence of their location is lost.  In many cases, the markers were made of wood or metal, which would have perished over time.

Tangible connections

In addition to their aesthetic value and interest, churchyard monuments and memorials give a tangible connection with our history, in a manner which history books can never achieve. It brings people physically in touch with their history, and provides clues to historical events which shaped our country and our landscape.  

Historical information

Graveyards yield much information for dating and supplying evidence of the social order of the community and the wealth and poverty of the congregation.  They also contribute information for the changes to the fabric of the building and biographies of some of the men, women and children that lived in Ballinrobe, either permanently or temporarily, from the 17th century to the present day.  

Genealogy

It can be difficult to trace family history in Ireland prior to 1850 as the fire in the Four Courts in 1922 was certainly no help to our country’s genealogical history.  Memorials can often be the only record in existence of some people.  

Ballinrobe's Graveyards

I have listed below some of Ballinrobe’s graveyards, while other outlying areas with graveyards have been omitted from this list and will be added to at a later date.

Lists of individual burials

Mr. Gerard Delaney, of the South Mayo Research Centre, has lists of some of those buried in these graveyards.

Ballinrobe's Graveyards or burial grounds:

Carnalecka (Tempall Mór), Old Graveyard, Ballyglass Rd.

New graveyard, Ballyglass Road, Ballinrobe.

St. Joseph's Convent, Convent Road. (Sisters' burials) 

Workhouse graveyard, Kilmaine Road, Ballinrobe

St. Mary's Catholic Church, Main St. (Clergy burials)

Church of Ireland, (now Library) off Main Street.

Augustine Abbey, Abbey Street.

Old Catholic Church (ruin) Castlebar Rd (within Church).

Tempall na Lacka, Cushlough, Ballinrobe.


This page was added by Averil Staunton on 22/10/2011.
Comments about this page

Looking for information on the Molloy family, lived in Weaver's Row, Ballinrobe, at least at the time of the 1911 census.

I would particularly like to know where James and Ellen Molloy were buried if in the area. I would like to visit sometime in the near future. Thank you, Ann Warren (Boston)

Hi Anne, Thank you for contacting us and if you contact Ger Delaney, of the South Mayo Family Research Centre, Main Street, Ballinrobe, Co Mayo, Ireland- + 353 (0) 94 954 1214 he may be able to help you.

See:  http://www.historicalballinrobe.com/page_id__265.aspx for further details.

By Ann Warren
On 28/04/2020

Looking for burial/cemetery/gravesite records for Lyons-Jane and Michael married and living after 1911. Lived in Ballinrobe and then Kilmaine. 

I would welcome any of their kids info as well.

Dolores

 

By Delores Williams
On 07/10/2018

I'm am trying to trace family to my Grandmother and my Grandfather. My Grandmothers name is Christina Moffatt, maiden name Burke. She died in the Creagh TB hospital 1944, my Grandfathers name Michael Moffatt. In 1933 he was residing at Glebe Street Ballinrobe, my Grandmother resided at the cottages in 1933.

Please could you help?

By Dale Smith
On 18/09/2014

LOOKING FOR EITHER FRANK OR JOHN LOOBY, LOUGH MASK COTTAGES BALLINROBE WHO WERE BOTH APPROX 10 YRS OLD IN 1919. NEED TO TRACE THEIR DECENDANTS. TKS MARY CRUISE

By MARY CRUISE
On 31/07/2013