At Castlelost Church on Sunday, from left, Kevin Whelehan, Michael Fallon, Emer Lyster, John Ennis, Noel Gavin, Clifford Grace, Mary Fallon, Francis Fallon, Liam Carey, Michael O’Sullivan, Jimmy Carey, Johnny Keegan, Florrie Keegan , Oliver Keegan, John Gavin, Thomas Gavin, Mary Casserly, Brian Gavin, Joe Malone and Ray Lyster. (Photos courtesy of Ray Lyster.)

Last burial in ancient graveyard remembered – 60 years on

Published: Thu 26 Oct 2023, 9:31 AM

The last burial, that of Brian Cleary, RIP, in Castlelost Church and graveyard, Rochfortbridge was remembered 60 years on at an event on the site on Sunday last.

The history of the church and graveyard goes back to when Sir Hugh Tyrrell came to Ireland in 1170 with Strongbow. The Tyrells were given lands including most of the Barony of Fartullagh. One of their early settlements was in Castlelost, just outside what is now village of Rochfortbridge. A church and walled in cemetery were built in the early 1200s.

The castle located close to the cemetery site is now almost completely in ruin – just a small part of the structure is visible.

In September 2022, a local group formed the Castlelost Heritage Project. Following extensive work by the volunteer committee, a pathway was cleared internally around the perimeter wall and round the church.

Electric fencing was erected and a family of 12 goats were brought on site. Between mid-October 2022 and March 2023, they succeeded in clearing most of the overgrowth on the site.

A successful application for grant aid led to extensive surveys coordinated through the Westmeath Heritage officer and Westmeath County Council. Recent work around the church area has removed trees and growth that had the potential to further damage the remaining structure.

When the report from the surveys is complete in the coming months, the group are hoping to apply for further funding to help secure and enhance the site, and preserve the significant history and heritage that exists at Castlelost.

During the 20th century, the graveyard continued to be used for some burials, though church records identifying burials at the cemetery are only available from 1925. Sixty years ago, on October 26, 1963, Brian Cleary, RIP, was the last person to be buried in Castlelost cemetery.

To mark that anniversary, Fr Liam Carey performed a blessing of the church and cemetery site on Sunday, October 22, at an event attended by members of the Castlelost Heritage Project committee, as well as a number of relatives of Brian Cleary.

More details on the project are on Facebook at Castlelost Heritage Project.