The Parish of Bunratty was established by the Norman Knight, Robert de Muscregros in the 1250s, and the original church would have occupied the same the site as the present one. The surrounding Grave yard, or church yard, dates back over 800 years, and over thirty generations of natives and newcomers are buried here. The majority of grave markers are without inscription, and when contrasted with the chest tombs, vaults, mausoleums and elaborately carved headstones, the disparity of wealth and entitlement in centuries gone by becomes very apparent.
Following the reformation and the English policy of Surrender and re-grant, which involved the Gaelic lords relinquishing their titles, signing up to the Protestant religious code and then adopting English titles and customs, this church became used by the small Protestant community of the Earl’s retainers and tenants, in the sixteenth century.
Some interesting Tombs
The graveyard is especially interesting because of the variety of tombs that are to be seen. Probably the most impressive in terms of size is the Studdert Vault, to the north of the church. The Studderts were an Anglo-Irish family who once owned and lived in Bunratty Castle after the departure of the O’Briens. The graveyard is the resting place for many of the other Anglo Irish families who were in possession of most of the rich farmland until the late nineteenth century. They would have held the land either as free holders (as in the case of the Studderts,) or as holders of long leases from absentee landlords. Within the church building there are the graves of the Dawsons, Daltons, Pallisers, and a vault of the Butlers, all members of this landed class.
#cemetery #mausoleum #abandoned
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