Recorded as being a tomb of the MacEgan clan (on
archaeology.ie) of the nearby Aghnameadle Castle and thought to date to the
18th / 19th C. The MacEgans were hereditary Brehons of the O'Kennedys and had a
great place of learning here.
There is no evidence of burials such as graveslabs within.
The doorway is likely to have been built from a reused doorway from the nearby
church ruins.
It is recorded in Toomevara, an Unbroken Chain pg 10
"The Mac Egan had a school there which was similar to a
modern day university. The remains of their castle still stands as a monument
to their greatness. They are buried in a stone vault in Aghnameadle graveyard.
Lady Margaret Mac Egan who is reputed to have had her horse shod with silver
shoes is buried here".
On pg 49 of the above it states
"The MacEgans were hereditary Brehons to the O'Kennedys
of Ormond. They lived in Aghnameadle Court up until 1738 As when Howard
MacEgan.,the owner at the time died. After that it passed into the hands of
Denis O'Brien who was married to a Miss MaGrath, a grand-niece of Howard".
The OS maps seem to mark this building as Tinambraher which
I would think translates as "Friars or monks House" so maybe it has
had a few different uses.
A very interesting area full of history, the Ollatrim river
runs right on the edge of the graveyard.
