Monasteraden Graveyard (Cashel na Manastragh)

by St. Aiden's N.S., Monasteraden
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Saint Aiden is said to have sited his Monasterary here in Early Christian Times - he died c. 570 AD.

It was a Cashel and you can see the entrance to the Souterrain in the centre of the graveyard.

It is one of a few circular graveyards still in use in Ireland.

In 1830’s there was a ruin of a church – but nothing remains today.

The walls of the graveyard are built on the foundation of the old Cashel walls.

An ancient corn drying kiln was discovered here in the 1990’s.



In 1836 the graveyard was recorded as a burial place for children, strangers and poor people – lots of grave stones are unmarked.

The oldest marked grave we found is of John Hayden who died in 1836.

Most of the family names are still in the Monasteraden area.

In our film ‘The Train’ Leo Plunkett visits the grave of his parents Christy and Annie Plunkett.

There is a well preserved entrance to the graveyard.



In our film ‘The tallystick’ Jonathan and Kyle run into the graveyard but step back in time to meet St. Aiden.

‘I thought this was a graveyard’ says Kyle when he meets Saint Aiden.

He then realises that Monasteraden must be ‘called after you, St. Aiden, Monasterary of Aiden’.