Thursday Doors – Jacobean

Thursday Doors is travelling way back in time this week, through these lovely Jacobean pillars. I’m in Killeshandra, County Cavan, just a few miles from our home. The sun is shining, the birds are singing and my camera is clicking, of course.

Now that I’ve covered every angle of those lovely old pillars, let’s get on with the tour.

No entry, unfortunately.

You can see the Hamilton coat of arms between the door and the window.

There are a couple of family mausoleums here, too.

The setting is peaceful and serene, even though it’s located in the town.

There are many old headstones and grave markers, the earliest dated 1696.

To me, this looks like bog oak. It’s obviously very old.

This says, ‘Here lies the body of Edward ?’ The numerals are Roman, so I can’t make out the year.

Would you like to have a peek inside?

Here’s what I saw through the window.

Now for a bit of history.

Long before a town came into existence during the seventeenth century, a rath or ringfort occupied the site where the old church still stands. It is from this that the town takes its name Cill na Seanratha, meaning the Church of the old Rath or ringfort. The earliest church is recorded as being built here by Augustinian monks from the nearby Drumlane abbey, circa 1350 and was used by local people living around and about the area. Originally the church was likely a plain stone structure with small windows and surrounding graveyard, much like other early Irish churches in this region.

The old graveyard continued to be used by local families of all denominations until quite recently and is presently cared for by members of the local community. The earliest grave markers date from 1696 and the graveyard is popular with overseas visitors searching for their Killeshandra ancestors.*

Here’s one last look at the old church before we go.

Well, I really enjoyed capturing those images for this week’s Thursday Doors and I’m delighted you came along on the tour. Lots more doors await you over on Norm’s blog. Just click the blue ‘frog’ at the end of his post.

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