Gravestones and memorials seminars

Kildare County Council is organising a seminar on the subject of recording gravestones and memorials. It will take place on Saturday 13 October, at Riverbank in Newbridge.

The aim is to provide participants with an understanding of the importance of graveyard inscriptions and iconography. It will provide practical advice on how to prepare for and execute a graveyard recording project.

The event is open to anyone with an interest in local history, historic graveyards, and genealogy. It is aimed at graveyard maintenance committees, clergy, community groups, Tidy Towns groups, historical societies and interested individuals.

The programme begins at 9.30am with an introduction by the County Kildare Heritage Officer, Bridget Loughlin.

Caimin O’Brien, Archaeologist with the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government will speak on 'Graveslabs and Gravestones – iconography and valuable historical sources'.

Other presentations will include 'Cleaning off the Moss - practical experience in transcribing graveyard inscriptions' by Brian McCabe, Chairman of the Kill History Group, and 'Organising a community graveyard recording project' from the Baconstown Graveyard Recording Project.

Mario Corrigan and Karel Kiely will discuss gravestone inscriptions as a genealogical source.

After a light lunch in Lumville House Hotel there will be a site visit to the Curragh Military Graveyard

There is no charge for the seminar but places are limited so booking is essential.

Information and booking forms are available from Bridget Loughlin, Heritage Officer, Kildare County Council, Áras Chill Dara. Naas, Co Kildare -- 045 980791 or heritageofficer@kildarecoco.ie

This is an action of the County Kildare Heritage Plan 2005-2009.

Brian Byrne.