Redmond Cemetery Grave Records

The priory of saints John and Brigid was built here for the Knights  Hospitallers  Of Saint John and Jerusalem after the Norman invasion of 1172. It became a large hospice for knights and others travelling back and forth overseas. From 1172 it became the headquarters of the order in Ireland for some years. It was active in Wexford for almost 350 years before being dissolved in the reign of Henry V111. It remained a sacred site throughout the turbulent centuries. The church was of note as it was the only one in Wexford with a steeple.

The graveyard attached to the church continued in use until the burial of Captain William Archer Redmond in the mausoleum on April 17th 1932. It became possible in more modern times to erect stone memorials and the earliest is that of John Furlong 1723. The most dramatic is that of Edward Frayne, a name deeply associated with the insurrection of 1798 and who died June 1798. Also of significance in the graveyard is a standing stone coffin from the 13th Century.
The most prominent and significant tomb, nationally and internationally is the  Redmond Talbot mausoleum which contains the remains of John Edward Redmond MP, leader of the Irish Parliamentary Party in Westminster. He was a fiery and phenomenal speaker in public and private so that few could resist the power of his oratory. His accomplishments are remembered to this day. On his death in 1918 he was laid to rest in his illustrious family’s tomb.

[Sources from A. Gwinn and R. N. Hadcock, “Medieval Religious Houses Ireland” (Longman, London, 1970)] Text by Nicholas Furlong, Wexford Rotary Club.

Wexford rotary club would like to acknowledge and thank Carmel Foley for all her help in the project.

[grave_records]