ST MARY’S CEMETERY IN SAGGART
There are four surviving pre-Norman monuments in the village of Saggart and all of them are located within this graveyard, sited across Garter Lane from the Roman Catholic Church. During my visit in April 2016 I could not identify any of them so I needed to conduct some more research before I revisit the site. Unfortunately, my research has not been productive but I have discovered that other visitors had similar issues. It is now Ferbraruy 2020 and I hope to return within the next few weeks.
The graveyard predates the current church and is located on the site of previous church buildings, although believed to be the monastery of St Mosacra, the actual site is 1.5 km away.
The first edition Ordnance Survey map from 1843 shows the graveyard to be oval in shape, with access provided by a lane leading directly from the village; prior to this, the area is recorded by mapmakers as the site of a ruined church. Within the graveyard, there is a noteworthy memorial to Dublin merchant Edward Byrne, who was a member of the Catholic Committee, which included Wolfe Tone, which petitioned King George II in 1793 on behalf of the Irish people.
