The graveyard represents an important aspect of the community. This is where we pay our respects by visiting the graves of our own family and neighbours. Of note also are the graves of important historical figures or personalities from the locality who impacted in some way on peoples lives.   The grave of the late Father Lambert is one such grave. I’ve been told by many people that the stones on his grave are deemed lucky. Many people carry one on their person on a daily basis, or take one from his grave to give to someone who is sick or going travelling. This is a common custom around Ireland and there are many priests graves used in this manner. In Carrick-on-Bannow in South Wexford people with back ailments lie on the grave of the late Fr. Anglim for a cure for back pain.    In St. Brigid’s graveyard is the grave of James Shipley who, in his own way, worked miracles on the carpentry of the present St. Brigid’s Church. He too is remembered fondly in the village. Also of note is the Gaelic revival style headstone of John Dunne who was a noted patriot and scholar and involved in furthering the cause of Irish Independence.    Close by is the grave of the Lacey brothers who died during the Civil War. Capt. Denis Lacey was shot during an ambush on Crory Lane, Crossabeg, by National Army troops from Wexford Barracks on the 23rd of March 1923. His brother Joseph (Joe) Lacey died from complications as a result of Hunger Strike at the Curragh Hospital on the 24th of December 1923. He was just 25 years old - one of the last to die during the Civil War. The grave of another young man who died during the War of Independence, 25 year old Seamus O'Brien from Morriscastle in Kilmuckridge, lies in Ballyvaldon graveyard.   There are of course many graves without any headstone or marker. The final resting place of many local people is an unmarked grave, known only by their immediate family and neighbours.   Most coastal communities in Wexford have a grave for unidentified bodies washed up on the beach due to stand alone boating incidents or bigger events such as the sinking of the Pomona.    In Ballyvaldon graveyard there is a green area to the left hand side. No records exist for many of these unidentified individuals. Declan Flanagan recalls hearing about sailors that would wash up on the beach, and as they’d be too far to bring to the local graveyard, they were buried in an unmarked grave where the coastal path sign stands today. Please refer to the Ordnance Survey of Ireland map for the exact location.    Although fortunate to be remembered but unfortunate to drown, was A. Ritchie, a deck hand on the HMT Barbara Cowie who washed up on local beach in 1916. Through his identification records, he was identified and a recently erected headstone marks the final resting place of this man in Killila graveyard.

Graves

Various locations, Blackwater, Co. Wexford

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