The old churchyard or graveyard at Ballyseedy, enclosing the ruins of an ancient church, was for generations the last resting place for all Ballyseedy people, Protestant and Roman Catholic. A new Ballyseedy Church of Ireland church was constructed c1830 in a new churchyard adjacent to the old on the south side. For the remainder of the 19th century the old churchyard continued to be used in much the same way as before, containing as it does a number of large Church of Ireland family vaults and smaller graves, those families continued to inter their dead with their ancestors. This practise continued until the old vaults became full or space for new graves became short, and by the early 20th century most Church of Ireland families favoured the new churchyard. An additional plot of land was added to the new churchyard in <???>, the old churchyard subsequently becoming, by default, almost exclusively Catholic for new interments.

 

The atmospheric old churchyard over recent years became much neglected and overgrown, until by the hard labour of many in 2001-2 it was cleared of undergrowth & trees and an attempt made to chemically kill the roots that were breaking open and destroying many old stone vaults. In 2008 the site is once again becoming overgrown, the trees are regenerating, those roots not successfully killed once more wreak havoc on old stone tombs.

 

A few of the larger vaults are known to be Blennerhassett family tombs, but as no inscriptions appear to survive they are difficult to identify. We need to speak someone who remembers... One or more of these vaults belonged to the Ballyseedy Castle family; some to branches of the family of Gortatlea & Blackbriar. A burial vault was erected c1873 in the old churchyard, in memory of Arthur Blennerhassett (b.c1785/6 d.1873), for him and for his family, by his sons Arthur, John Arthur, Richard & Thomas. If you are able identify any of the unmarked vaults, or if a map exists showing ownership of plots in the old churchyard, I shall be pleased to hear of it.

 

Ballyseedy Old Church

Ballyseedy Old Churchyard

This tomb is the best maintained of several large old family tombs in Ballyseedy Old Churchyard. No inscription is visible (on this or any of the larger tombs). It may perhaps be the family tomb of the Blennerhassetts of Ballyseedy Castle, but I have no evidence for this.

 

 

 

 

The family burial plot of the Blennerhassetts of Skahanagh/Clahane/Caherleheen, near Tralee. The photograph on the left shows the headstones before 2004, the others following renovation in that year, the smaller stone replaced by two others.     The first burial in this plot is thought to be John Blennerhassett (born c1800, died between 1870 and 1899, no inscription). Family tradition tells us that John went to "the colonies" in "the very early times", and that following his death the remains were brought home to Tralee in a sealed lead coffin, accompanied by his medals and a sum of money. This may have been from New South Wales, New Zealand or South Africa, three places where others of his family emigrated. In the 19th century, in both Australia and New Zealand, because of the heat it was usual practice to use a sealed lead coffin if a body had to be transported any distance.   Following arrival of the lead coffin at Tralee, John's son Joseph Blennerhassett purchased this plot and interred his father here. The next burial was Joseph's wife Ellen Blennerhassett, who died 5-July-1899. The lead coffin was subsequently reported "...unearthed in bits..." when Katie Blennerhassett (nee Shanahan) was buried here in 1951.   The medals are said to have been kept in the family house at Skahanagh, the money given as dowry at the c1903 marriage of Joseph's daughter Hannah Blennerhassett to John Shanahan of The Spa, Tralee.        where are these medals now?       I have been told there may be a second Blennerhassett inscription within Ballyseedy old churchyard, but have been unable to find this...