The Conway-Blennerhassett tomb, Killorglin
A marble memorial
in memory of Conway and Blennerhassett
was erected in 1732
in the chapel at
Castle Conway, Killorglin, Co.Kerry.
Where this chapel was is discussed below.
The memorial
to
Elizabeth Cross
(died 1732)
was
erected by her husband
John Blennerhassett, "Black Jack",
of Castle Conway.
He also included his mother
Avice Conway (died 1683)
and her Conway ancestors.
Page 70
of
[Smith, 1756]
says Killorglin church was then "in ruins".
The memorial has long
vanished.
It is not even clear where the church was.
See inscription
transcripts and translation
by
Bill Jehan.
See
findagrave.com.
The tomb inscription written in the original Ms of
"Black Jack's Book"
(c.1737).
This is by the man who erected the tomb, so this is accurate.
Note it says his mother
Avice Conway died April 1683.
This is
pp.38-39 of
MS 7937.
Castle Conway on
p.148
of
[Smith, 1756].
Transcription of the Conway-Blennerhassett tomb.
Smith makes an error in the reading of the tomb.
He has Black Jack's mother Avice Conway dying in 1663.
But the original Ms of "Black Jack's Book", by her son, clearly shows she died in 1683.
Transcript of the memorial
written in transcript of
"Black Jack's Book"
by Mary Agnes Hickson.
From
p.55
of
[Hickson, 1872].
She repeats the "1663" error from Smith,
rather than copying down what was on the Ms of "Black Jack's Book" in front of her,
which clearly says 1683.
This "1663" error is still circulating today.
Hickson in Kerry Evening Post,
24 Mar 1897,
makes clear that she did not see the inscription herself.
She says the inscription is both in [Smith, 1756]
and in "Black Jack's Book".
It is clear she just copied it from Smith instead of either seeing it, or copying it from Black Jack.
Translation of the inscription
Here lies Elizabeth, dearest wife of John Blennerhassett, gentleman.
Pious, sober, chaste, kind, missed by many;
died 22 March 1732,
in her 63rd year.
Her grieving husband buried her.
Here also lies
Avice,
mother of said John, who was drowned at sea in April 1683.
Also
Jenkin and Edward Conway,
grandfather and father of said Avice.
As well as
Henry
the brother of said John.
In the memory of all of these the heir himself of Avice
had this marble made.
Where was this church?
It is unclear where the church with the above tomb was:
-
The original of
"Black Jack's Book" (c.1737)
has him referring to
the monument being
"in my Chapel at Killorglin",
which suggests it was a private chapel at Castle Conway.
-
[Smith, 1756]
just says "In the chapel of this place",
talking about "Kilorglin, or Castle-Conway".
Known churches in and near Killorglin:
- Dungeel:
-
KILLORGLIN in
[Ardfert and Aghadoe Clergy]
says:
"The old Church stood at Dungeel, and there was also an old Church at Dromavally.
The modern Church was built in 1816".
-
Dungeel is some distance E of Killorglin.
See map.
- Dromavally:
-
There was a vault of Blennerhassett at
Dromavally
on the E side of Killorglin town.
Many Blennerhassetts of the Castle Conway branch were buried here
throughout the 19th century.
So this could be the place.
- Killorglin town churches:
- The 1816 church was built in Killorglin town just opposite Castle Conway.
It is now a restaurant,
Sol y Sombra Tapas Bar.
See street view
of entrance.
See photo.
- There is a new (1997) church elsewhere in Killorglin town,
St.Michael's church.
See street view.
Ordnance Survey of Ireland map.
Date created: 1894.
Date issued: 1895.
From
here.
"Church" is the Church of Ireland church built 1816.
