Publication- The Parish Remembers by Eric Shaw, 2011

The Parish Remembers CBHWG

On Wednesday 2 November 2011 a book written and compiled by Eric Shaw entitled Clare Castle / Ballyea – The Parish Remembers was launched in the School Hall.

In conjunction with Clare Roots Society, Eric had documented all the readable gravestone inscriptions in Clare Abbey, Clare Hill, Killoo, Killone, and Ballyea & Clare Castle Churches. These amount to about 1,800 records, some dating from the late 1600s. The book helped to preserve the inscriptions and to make them available for family history research. It  also helped to draw visitors and fitted in with development plans to promote the attractions of the Parish.

The Parish is fortunate to have such venerable burials grounds. These grounds are well maintained by the State and local groups and are a source of interest to historians and visitors alike. They are the hidden history of the Parish and Eric told the stories behind some of the gravestones.

The book also contains chapters on Cillins, St. Mary’s Church of Ireland, Edenvale, records of men from the Parish who died in the Great War, brief histories of Clare Abbey, Killone and Killoo, maps of the older burial grounds and the cholera outbreaks of 1832 and 1849. It also has a very attractive pictorial history of the Churches documenting the changes over the years. Some of the older photographs were generously donated by Parishioners. These will evoke memories for older parishioners and give a sense of place to newer members of the community. It emphasises the importance of old photographs and may prompt more people to come forward with images that can be preserved as part of the history of the Parish.

The book in a large format of 130 pages was published in a limited edition. It iwas launched as part of a drive currently in train to preserve all the historic records of the Parish such as Baptism and Marriage Registers dating back to the 1830s, School Rolls from the 1860s.

A grant from Roche Ireland Ltd. arranged by Des Ryan assisted in the preparation of this publication. Fr. Brady and the Pastoral Council endorsed and supported the project. Both forms of support are deeply appreciated and acknowledged.

 

The book is now out of print. A Summary Index of all recorded gravestone inscriptions in the Parish from the book is included under the different graveyards listed elsewhere on this website.

 

 

No Comments

Start the ball rolling by posting a comment on this page!

Add a comment about this page

Your email address will not be published.