Welcome for €100k monument funding for Ardmulchan cemetery

One of County Meath’s hidden treasures – Ardmulchan graveyard – is to be the subject of special works following the allocation by Meath County Council of €100,000 from its Community Monument Fund.

The allocation has been welcomed by Independent Cllr Francis Deane who has campaigned for years to have renovations carried out at the site. The old church there, along with walls and piers will be repaired in a programme starting this autumn.

“I have lobbied for years to get this work carried out and welcome the funding. My thanks to Heritage Officer with Meath County Council, Loreto Guinan and also to Navan Historical Society for assistance with the application for funding”.

The ruins of the 13th century parish church are situated on an elevated site taking in a broad sweep of the Boyne river. The church stands within a rectangular graveyard. On the North side of the site is an overgrown Norman motte which was probably built by the Norman lord, Hugh de Lacy. There are a number of interesting grave slabs in the church chancel. A 17th century grave slab of Brian O Hairt bears a hole that may be for a gnomon - the projecting piece on a sundial that shows the time by the position of its shadow.