Burrane Graveyard
Welcome to Burrane Graveyard. As you can see this graveyard is divided into the three parts, each an extension as the previous graveyard filled. The oldest and most historic graveyard is the one containing the old church. The ruin of the old church of St Imy’s still stands today in the old graveyard in Lower Burrane. It dates back to the ninth century. The very beautiful east window from this medieval Killimer church (picture) is now incorporated into the tower in Kilrush Church on the orders of Fr John Kenny. Parish Priest James Frost complained that “a fine round headed window was removed with questionable taste.”
The oldest inscribed grave is that of Thomas Rumley Esq., surveyor of Scattery Island, which is dated 1793 and can be found to the left of the entrance to the church. Its inscription is in a beautiful script and is well worth a visit.
The graveyard also contains graves with Coptic engravings and exceptional iconography which can also be found quite close to the entrance to the church. Below is a video with a tour of the graveyard and some of the headpieces and inscripted flags that you might like to find.
A local man, Peter O’Connell, a famous lexicographer and hedge school master is buried here in the old Burrane Graveyard. Also buried in Peter O’Connell’s grave is Ellen Hanley, better known as the Colleen Bawn, who was murdered by her husband John Scanlon in 1826. If you would like the full history of the Colleen Bawn or to see our reenactment of her story for the Bicentenary of her death you can find it by clicking on the following link:
We are also aware that people like to visit graveyards to help trace their heritage. If you are trying to find a particular grave here in Burrane, click on the appropriate link below to bring you to our Graveyard pages where each graveyard has a map with each grave numbered. Search for your surname alphabetically and match your number to the map to find which grave you are looking for.
Killimer Local History 