Survey Data
Reg No
40801019
Rating
Regional
Categories of Special Interest
Architectural, Historical, Social
Previous Name
The Rock Vault
Original Use
Graveyard/cemetery
Date
1840 - 1900
Coordinates
246742, 450263
Date Recorded
10/01/2013
Date Updated
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Description
Private graveyard (on rectangular-plan) originally associated with Malin Hall (see 40801015), c. 1857, having a sunken vault to the north end of enclosure having earthen bank over. Rock-faced walls to front elevation. Located in wooded area to the east of Malin Hall and to the north-west of Malin. Modern housing adjacent to the south.
Appraisal
This simple private graveyard was originally built by the Harvey family of Malin Hall (see 40801015), and it forms part of a group of structures associated with this former country estate. The burials are interred in a semi-subterranean vault or mausoleum partially built into the side of a hillock to the north side of the graveyard enclosure. The earliest burial is dated 1820 (Robert Harvey, December 1820) although this graveyard is not depicted on the Ordnance Survey first edition six-inch map of 1837. This suggests that the graveyard may have been laid out at a later date with the earlier burial(s) re-interred here later (probably from the nearby parish church in Malin – see 40801011). The last burial interred here appears to be an Elizabeth Lyne, dated 1888. Private family graveyards were a relatively uncommon feature but are found on some of the larger country estates throughout Ireland. This largely forgotten site forms part of a group of structures associated with Main Hall, and is an interesting addition to the built heritage and social history of the local area.