Farnham Graves

I happened to be spending the weekend in County Cavan in 2015, attending the installation of the Very Rev Nigel Crossey as Dean of Kilmore.

Farnham estate is very close to Kilmore Cathedral and I'm sure that the MAXWELLS, Barons and Earls of Farnham, worshipped there when they were in residence at their magnificent MANSION and demesne.

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Before I motored home I enjoyed a hearty Irish breakfast comprising three sausages, two thick, lean rashers, an egg, baked beans, half a tomato, a kind of hash-brown patty, tea and toast.

En route I stopped at Kilmore "new" graveyard, where I paid a visit to the Farnham family graves.

These graves are located at the far end the the graveyard, on a slope above the road.

Intricate, fine metal railings surround the small plot.

About four steps lead up to it.

The most prominent feature is a beautifully-sculpted angel, made, I think, of marble.

The graves are relatively simple.

There are no coronets, crests or armorial bearings.

The last of the Farnhams to be buried here was the 12th Baron (1931-2001), whose widow Diana, Lady Farnham, DCVO (1931-2021) was a Lady-in-Waiting to Queen Elizabeth II.

The new See House, erected in 2013, is situated adjacent to the parish hall at Kilmore.

This is the official residence of the Bishop of Kilmore, Elphin and Ardagh.

First published in September, 2015.

Clermont Graves

Hugh Rowland has very kindly taken several photographs of the neglected and forgotten grave-stones of the 1st Lord and Lady Clermont.

The graveyard is within the parish of Jonesborough in County Armagh.

CLICK TO ENLARGE

Thomas Fortescue (1815-87) was elevated to the peerage as 1st Baron Clermont.

His wife, née Lady Louisa Grace Butler, was the daughter of James Butler, 1st Marquess of Ormonde.

The 1st Baron's brother, Chichester Samuel Parkinson-Fortescue, 2nd Baron Clermont (1823-98), had been created the 1st Baron Carlingford in his own right.

Lord Carlingford died in France.

The Fortescue seat was Ravensdale Park, near Dundalk in County Louth.

"I recently visited the graveyard at Jonesborough and as you can see it is very overgrown.” 

“It was difficult to locate the grave that I assumed was Lord Carlingford's." 

"The inscription on the base of the stone on the left states....This stone was laid by Lord Carlingford whereas we thought it stated this is where Lord Carlingford is laid."

"It was laid in memory of the daughter of the [1st Marquess of Ormonde]... I find it disgraceful that the Church of Ireland vacates a church and also closes its eyes to the state of its graveyards." 

"Incidentally this graveyard is also used by the Roman Catholic population and the local Republican groupings who keep their side in immaculate condition."