One of my projects has been completed recently – uploading photos of headstones and transcribing them via the Find A Grave website – Banada Graveyard (now 300+ memorials). When I first learned that my great grandfather was buried there, I created a memorial page on him and requested for a photo of his headstone a couple of years ago. When I visited my cousins in Ireland, they told me that there may be no headstone existed for him. I decided that I want to visit the Banada Graveyard one day.
This past April 2017, I made it to Banada Graveyard on foot – within walking distance from the Banada Stables (and the family runs amazing Bed and Breakfast – highly recommended!). After walking around the cemetery and reading the plaques, I now can understand why – the graveyard is not in best shape as it is semi-abandoned since mid-1800’s. The graveyard was used as Banada Priory which was founded in 1423 CE and the priory was abandoned in mid 16th century. The abbey still stood but somehow crumbled and overtook by its weeds, vines and trees. Amazing! One of the homepages has detailed information on Banada Monastery surprisingly in German!!!! Please note: the link will translate German into English for you via Google Translation or you can choose any language you want it translated in. It seems that Irish Sisters of Charity owns the Banada Cemetery since 1858. Well, I should be surprised as Germans love history and traveling!!! 😉 Special thank to one of bloggers who wrote about Banada Graveyard – that was how I learned more about Banada Priory and its history.
Anyhow, I decided to scan and took most photos of headstones throughout the graveyard when I saw how medium-sized it was. I wanted to pay it forward by helping genealogists and people finding these individual’s final resting place. I want to mention that the cemetery is not a safe place to stroll or walk around. You just have to watch where you are going especially stepping on. Please be mindful of some unsettled ground in some areas or fallen gravestones. The reason I said that the cemetery is being semi-abandoned (definitely not maintained as there is no one doing some upkeep of the cemetery) is that there are some recent erected gravestones, so the cemetery is still in used.
Interesting about the plaques on the wall when you enter into the cemetery and on your right – the names on the plaques at the Banada cemetery, not all of these names on the plaques came from gravestones in the cemetery. It may be that some of gravestones are missing, lost, not existed or weathered down, so the names are added to the plaques instead. Or the family simply wants their loved ones to be eternally remembered.
I am going to leave you some pictures from the Banada Graveyard for you to check out.
Entrance to Banada Graveyard
Overview of Banada Graveyard
Ruined Abbey is in behind of graveyard
Close-up of Ruined Abbey
The devices are being used to hold the foundation of Ruined Abbey
Beautiful stone artwork
View across the River Moy (it is below of the Ruined Abbey)
Keyhole view
Close-up of beautiful stone artwork
Another overview of Banada Graveyard
Sheltered headstone by shrubbery
I am contented with what I can do for the Banada Graveyard except that I am now pursuing an option adding my great grandfather and his first wife’s names to plaque. Hope it can be done.
Banada Graveyard – Banada, County Sligo, Ireland One of my projects has been completed recently - uploading photos of headstones and transcribing them via the Find A Grave website - …