Yesterday, since the kids were in school, my husband and I went for a road trip near our town. Off we went to Tullynakill Road when we see this.
We park in the road and walk down to this place that I've never seen before.
"Tullynakill Church" is a State Care Monument and is under the Historic Monument and Archeological Objects in Northern Ireland.
Anyone can come here and explore this place.
Here's the gate to get inside. I thought it's only a graveyard. But this is actually a Church.
This is the Tullynakill Church ruins which are dated as early as 15th and 17th century.
This old church was for two periods. First in late 15th century when it replaced Nendrum Abbey as the parish site. And with its replacement, the burial also transferred in Tullynakil Church. Nendrum was abandoned since then.
In the 17th century, this church was modernized.
The two east windows and the rest including the one left of the door survived incredibly.
This Church and the graveyard is only small. And almost forgotten.
Some of the tombstones you can see.
It says,
Within these walls lie the remains of
Alexander Mc Cartney of Castle Espie and Belfast who departed this life 4th December 1911 aged 72 years
Husband of Anna Rea who departed this life 2nd June 1922 age 76 years and was interred in Dundonald Cemetery.
Here also lieth their children
William Shield - 23rd May 1871 - 19th March 1875 (Nearly 4 years old just)
Agnes - 3rd September 1870 - 21st of November 1883
Elizabeth - 9th April 1883 - 25th March 1861
Robert Alexander - 17th September 1865 - 9th November 1901
This one written,
Erected by Robert Davidson of Glasgow
In loving memory of his father
WM Davidson Lisbarnett who died 30th December 1883 aged 75 years.
His mother
Isabella Johnston who died August 1834
And his Step Mother
Mary Fitchie who died 25th January 1876 also the above
Robert Davidson who died 17th September 1908 aged 73 years also
Jane Walker, wife of above who died 28th November 1912 aged 70 years.
-1807 Robinson Belfast
He erected this for his family and got buried with them after.
Glad they tried to put this on. He's never forgotten.
A.D 1893
This one is barely readable.
And maybe these are the oldest ones in the graveyard. The gravestones stand the test of time. The engraving faded away.
Before we leave, I offered a little prayer for this place and for those who's bodies buried on the ground.
Sometimes when we go to the graveyard to see my Dad in-law I love to read what's written in the gravestone. Some who died young. Some who died on their birth date. Some who died really old. Some who died the same date they were born. Looking for the oldest gravestone.
Some stories a graveyard can tell. For as much as we don't like the idea of death or hate the graveyard, I've been grateful too. I'm grateful that we can visit our love ones when we missed them. Because we do miss them. I do.
Any thoughts regarding this article please comment down below.
Thank you so much.
Check out my other Articles
A Your Inside the European Highlander
Riad Dar Nawfal at SalΓ©, Morocco
10 Must-Try Family Friendly Experience in Oludeniz, Turkey
Tyn-Y-Mur Caravan and Camping Site in Abersoch, Wales
Abersoch, Wales and the Mishap
La Paz Sand Dunes Adventure in Laoag
My Unforgettable Trip in Morocco
Baluarte Zoo and Safari Gallery in Vigan
Jeep Safari Adventure in Turkey- Part 2
Jeep Safari Adventure in Fethiye(Water Fighting and more) -Part 1
My First Scuba Diving Experience in Fethiye
Staying at the Garcia Resort and Spa in Oludeniz, Turkey
12 Island Boat Trip in Fethiye
Airport Transfer Service in Turkey that You Can Book Online
The Best Turkish Bath Experience in Hisaronu
Nice article. I have visited the graveyard many times. It allegedly holds the grave of Daft Eddie, a renowned smuggler from centuries ago. Interesting to note that the mouth of the River Enler, where, until the last 100 years, small boats were able to off load their cargo. It is believed to have been widely used for smuggling. Unfortunately the mouth of the river has become silted up, with deposits being laid down as the river develops into old age just past the meander behind the garage on the boundary of Comber behind the petrol station.