Fanningstown Graveyard Project
Templeroe Church
At Fanningstown in open farmland is the site of a Knights Templar Church built 1288.
The Church was named ‘Templeroe’ and the land it is built on and surrounds was gifted to the Knights Templar. The Knights could not own goods singly, but the Order took the donations gladly and was, by the time of it’s dissemination; the owner of vast property holdings all over Europe, had a sophisticated international banking system and had interests in most Mediterranean and European Industries.
The name ‘Templar’ is thought to have had one of the two following roots.
It was believed to have referred to the vows taken for the defence of the “Holy Temple” against infidels or is a reference to the accidental occupation of same chambers adjacent to the temple, by the original members of the order. The Holy Temple that was being protected was in Jerusalem.
Fedamore was a Norman Stronghold at this time as is proven by the Norman Castles in the vicinity; Knights Templar were Norman knights.
Early Anglo Normans who came to Ireland were related to the Knights Templars, these were ; de Roche, Fitzstephens, De Lacys , Hamo ,d’Arcy and de Burgos.
The first mention of the Knights Templars in the royal administration records for Ireland were in 1220. They came to take up the role of administrators for King Henry III. They were allocated Land and a number of commandaries.
The Viceroy of Ireland was to deposit the royal dues into the care of the Templers and Hospitallers who would then send it to England. The Knights performed similar duties in England for King Henry. The post of caretaker of monies, being negotiators or acting as ambassadors for the kings of Europe were the general roles the Knights performed. Brother Geoffrey of the Templars was one of the main advisors to the King of England at this time. They did not have to obey and were not subject to the laws of the bishops of County Limerick at this time, which led to a lot of envy and mistrust. It wasn’t as though the knights’ outposts were rare in County Limerick which would have compounded their position, they were known along with the Knights Hospitallers to be situated in;
Bruff (Templebodean) , Mungret (Temple Mungret), Adare ,Bruree (castle and Temple Colman), Askeaton (commandery, founded 1298), Glenogra , Hospital, Castle Matrix (Rathkeale) , Limerick (house in Quay Lane) , Morgans (Templemuireguiedan), Listeely (Kildroman Church), Dysert, Killeedy, Ballingarry, Kildimo, Ainy, Carrigogunnel, Kilquane, Newcastle, Castle Rag ,Carrickketal, Rathurd, Ballycahane, Woodstock, Castlemaine and Ballynoe.
There was only one difference between these two schools of knights, the Knights Templars could not harm anyone of the Christian faith, the Knights Hospitallers or Hospitallers of St John obeyed the King and carried out any actions he sanctioned. As an aside, the Knights Hospitallers carried out the administration and held military command against Irish attacks, whilst the Knights Templars worked in Financial matters.
The Knights Templar first appeared after the first crusade in Jerusalem about the year 1118, it was formed a generation after the other military order , the Knights Hospitaller of St. John of Jerusalem and was soon more powerful and wealthier although sooner abolished.
Templars’ history begins when a group of Knights led by Hugues (Hugh) de Payens offered themselves to the Patriarch of Jerusalem to serve as a military force. The group had the mandate of protecting Christian Pilgrims who were en route to the Holy Land to worship at the shrines dedicated to their faith.
Between the years AD1118-1120 King Baldwin granted the group quarters in a wing of the Royal Palace on the Temple Mount (Al Asqa Mosque).
It is generally accepted that for the first nine years of their existence the Templars consisted of nine members, it is widely speculated that the Order chose to stay small because they were secretly digging for treasure on the Temple Mount.
Changes occurred in 1127 when the Cistercian Abbot Bernard of Clairvaux wrote a rule of order for the Knights Templar that was based on the Cistercian Orders’ rule of conduct. It is thought that Bernard of Clairvauxs’ greatest contributions was a letter that he wrote titled ‘De Laude Novae Militae’ (In praise of the new knighthood) to Hugues de Payens. This letter spread through the Christian States, many men of noble birth now join the Templar Order, and those men who could not gave lands and valuables.
As the Order grew it received a romantic reputation for Nobility and honesty which also boosted its power in recruiting young men, which, in turn allowed the sect to buy arms and create an army in the east with an organisational structure to shame any large Country’s of that time and wealth beyond that of any other Christian organisation.
As mentioned above, mistrust and envy followed this growth, power and wealth of the Knights Templars and after two centuries the order had become corrupted by its affluence. At this point the Order met its end when Philip IV (Philip le Belle (the fair)) sought to destroy them. Historians generally believe that it was greed rather than the belief that the order was corrupt which compelled him.
Philip had the order arrested October 13 1307. The Templers were tortured and confessions given. These confessions included: Trampling and spitting on the cross, homosexuality and sodomy and worshipping an idol. In England, tempted by the spoils of this persecution followed Philip with the favour of the Pope. It was publicly ordained by the King and his council, that all of the order throughout his dominions to be seized.
In the year 1307 the order for the suppression of the Templars was transmitted to John Wogan , Judiciary of Ireland ,on the Wednesday after the feast of the epiphany, telling him to have the same executed without delay.
The mandate was obeyed immediately, the order was seized and committed to prison; Gerald, fourth son of Maurice, Lord of Kerry being the then grand master of Ireland.
In 1312 the Templars were officially dissolved by Pope Clement V at the Council of Vienne. The Templars were not found guilty of their crimes but bought so low in status as to warrant dissolving the order.
On March 18, 1314 the Grandmaster of the Knights Templar, Jacques de Molay was burnt at the stake, for having recanted his earlier confessions of guilt.
As an interesting aside, de Molay is said to have cursed King Philip and Pope Clement as he was dying, asking both men to follow him within the year. Although there is no historical proof to the de Molay curse, both Clement V and Philip IV followed de Molay to their graves within the year.
There were mock trials in County Limerick at this time instigated at the Bishops’ request, there are stories that the common people burnt the knights at the stake and the Bishops seized the lands but this is hearsay with no basis in truth.
This article was done to delve into our past , Fedamore and surrounding area is steeped in history such as the above , the Knights Templars have been lately come back into the public eye through the novel, ‘The Da Vinci Code’
By Dan Browne and have always been in the public eye , the uniform of a white cape with a red St Georges’ Cross worn by King Arthur and his knights of the Round Table and the stories of ‘Ivanhoe’ by Sir Walter Scott.
Inscriptions on Gravestones
1.
In loving memory of our dear mother Mrs Annie O Connell of Carane Fedamore who died Nov 1967 aged 82 yrs wife of Michael O Connell buried in Kilteely Jan 1930 aged 46 yrs Her father Tom Daly died 1925 aged 84 yrs Her sister Mrs Dillane died 1948 aged 57 yrs & brother Paddy Daly died 1969 aged 86 yrs Erected by the O’Connell Family 1970
2.
Unmarked metal cross
3.
Erected by Wm J. Quain in memory of his beloved father Daniel Quain died Dec’r 3rd 1880 aged 80 years Also my beloved uncle John Quain died July 28th 1870 aged 80 years
4.
This monument was Erected by Patrick Sheehy of the City Lim in memory of his mother in law Margaret De Courcy alias Boyle who dep this life Jan 10 1819 aged 69 yrs May she rest in peace Amen Also his two children Teresa and Margaret Sheehy
5.
Unmarked metal cross
6.
60cm unmarked stone
7.
60cm unmarked stone
8.
Erected In Memory Of Bridget Morgan who dep’d life April 19th 1836 Aged 80 years Also Mary Mc Knight who dep’d life February the 19th 1837 Aged 50 years, May they rest in peace Amen
9.
Er by John Whealan in mem of his wife Mary Corbet who dep this life June 13th 1808 aged 31 years & also of his child. May they rest in peace Amen
10.
Here resteth John Shehan An honest man to whom God was pleased to give a sudden call Ihope to a happy eternity on the 23rd December 99 also Margaret his wife Daughter to the late Martin Croagh of the City of Lim also Mary Croagh aged 10 years and Anastatia Shehan aged 5 years Cornelius Shehan brother to the above John is also interred here May they rest in peace Amen
11.
Here lies the body of Mary Shea wife of M Francis Boland of Ballinyda who departed this life July 13 aged 55 years
12.
This tomb was erected by Mary Quin alias Boland in memory of her beloved husband Thomas Quin of the City of Limerick who departed this life May the 15th 1809 aged 51 yrs May he rest in peace Amen Also in memory of his six children
13.
Here lies the body of George Boyle who departed this life also his wife Bridget Boyle alias Shehan departed December the 17th 1786 aged 61 years…honest couple…poor Lord have their souls Wlm Keain Ballysimon
14.
Unmarked flat stone
15.
Erected by Michael Moloney in mem’y of his beloved son John Moloney who dep’d this life June 13th 1841 aged 27 years May he rest in peace Amen
16.
This stone was erected by Patrick Sheehy of Bally Casey in memory of his wife Anne Sheehy alias Connell who departed this life Feb 1 1755 aged 26 years Lord have mercy on her soul
17.
Erected by Mary o Callaghan in memory of her beloved father and mother Thomas Herbert Esq of Fanningstown who departed this life October 1st 1799 aged 45 years and his wife Catherine who departed this life Sept 21st 1810 aged 52 yrs May they rest in peace Amen
18.
Patrick Byrnes Bawnacoomba Kilpeacon Died 20 Jan 1959 Also his father Michael and sister Catherine
In loving memory of Paddy Barry died 3rd Sept 1972 Aged 65 years May Barry died 15th May 1973 Aged 70 years Bill Barry died 21 March 1981 Aged 80 years Nora Barry died 3rd May 2004 Aged 79 years Rest in Peace Erected by the Barry Family
20.
Erected by Mary Barry in memory of her husband John Barry died 7th June 1850 Aged 70 years John Barry died 6th November 1897 Aged 78 years John Barry died 1st April 1946 Aged 87 years Brigid Barry died 24th July 1947 Aged 76 years Rest in Peace
21.
Erected by Elizabeth Condon in loving memory of her brother John who died 12th May 1916 Aged 79 years and of her brother William and her sister Johanna
22.
Re-erected by his son John Chicago USA Erected by Joseph Condon of Fanningstown in memory beloved father Wm Condon who dep life Nov 30th 1836 aged 60 years The above Joseph died 18th Oct 1902 and his wife Hanora also their sons William and Patrick
23.
Joseph Condon who died aged…also his son …who dep’t life Aug 15 1819 aged 4 years May they rest in peace Amen
24.
40cm unmarked stone
25.
Unmarked flat stone
26.
Unmarked flat stone
27.
This testimony of sorrow was erected by Mich’l Byrnes in mem of his children Bridget Byrnes died June 18 1843 Ag’d 24 years James died May 25th 1844 Aged 35 years and Paudie Jan 25 1847 Aged 21 years
28.
40cm unmarked stone
29.
Erected Catherine Condon In memory of her husband Patrick Condon who died February 7 1852 Aged 72 years also her son Patrick Condon who died May 29th 1856 Aged 22y
30.
40cm unmarked stone
31.
Erected by Wm Hartigan in memory of his father Wm Hartigan who departed this life Dec’ 2nd 1852 Aged 63 yrs also his mother Alias Condon who dept this life Dec 12th 1823 aged 60 yrs Patrick Hartigan Died 8th Dec 1929 Aged 88 years
32.
Erected by William Clampett in memory of his wife Catherine Clampett alias Kennedy who died June the 19th 1855 aged 68 years
33.
Erected by Denis Hogan in memory of daughter Johanna Hogan who died December 10th 1785 aged 22 years May her soul rest in peace Amen
34.
Erected by the Rev Luke Gleeson of Fanningstown in the memory of his mother Mary Gleeson who died April 1808 Aged 67 years May she rest in peace Amen
35.
Erected by the Rev AC Clohessy in memory of his beloved mother who died June 1st 1872 aged 49 years his sister Mary Anne died May 18th 1872 aged 22 years his brother John died Sep’t 1867 aged 16 years
36.
Erected by Michael Condon of Fanningstown in memory of his sons John died 3rd Sep 1890 aged 23 years Michael died 15th Aug 1890 aged 14 years May they rest in peace
37.
Erected by Ellen Kelly in memory of her beloved father Rodger Kelly died Dec 1841 aged 60 years Also her mother and sisters RIP
38.
Erected by Mrs Clohessy in memory of her beloved husband Thomas Clohessy died January 16th 1872 aged 84 years May he rest in peace Amen
39.
Here lies the body of Richard Keane who departed this life June 22 1768 aged 53 years
40.
Er’d by Thos Keane in Mem’ry of his son Thomas who died Feb’y 25 1808 ag’d 26 May he rest in peace Amen Garvey