The graveyard

Viewed from the main door of the church. Some Celtic style headstones

 

Base of the tower

For more on the tower and its history, please see the text.

 

ARCHIVES
Churches are normally homes for an unusual selection of Parish records and bound volumes. The Kells Union of Parishes has a quantity of records, most of which are stored in the Representative Church Body Library, in Braemor Park, Dublin. These records may be accessed by researchers during office hours, provided permission is granted by the Librarian and Archivist. It is generally unnecessary to seek the permission of the Rector in advance. I have included a list of all the Registers held in the R.C.B. Library, and a list of all the Register still held in the Parish Archives. The Registers held in the Parish Archive may be inspected by prior appointment, although material of recent date and sensitivity may not be available for public consultation. The earliest Register in the Union of Parishes dates from 1702, that being the Vestry Minute Book, from Kilberry Church, long since demolished.

LIST OF ARCHIVES DEPOSITED IN THE R.C.B. LIBRARY

PARISH OF KELLS (St. Columba's Church)

Combined Registers:
(1). Register of baptisms, 1773-1795, marriages, 1773-1794, and burials, 1773-1799.
(2). Register of baptisms, 1814-1834, marriages, 1822-1833, and burials, 1822-1833.
(3). Register of baptisms, 1833-1846, marriages, 1833-1844, and burials, 1833-1846.
Register of Baptisms:
(1). Baptisms, 1800-1814.
(2). Baptisms, 1844-1877.
Register of Marriages:
(1). Marriages, 1845-1869.
(2). Marriages, 1869-1924.
(3). Marriages, 1924-1956.
Register of Burials:
(1). Burials, 1846-1904.
Vestry Minute Book: (The Vestry being the decision making body of the Parish)
(1). Vestry Book, 1729-1799.
(2). Vestry Book, 1800-1881.
(3). Vestry Book, 1880-1951.
Account Book:
(1). Accounts, 1800-1849.
(2). Accounts, 1817-1830.
(3). Accounts, 1850-1921.
(4). Accounts, 1887-1902.
Preachers' Books: (lists number attending a Service, number of Communicants, name of Preacher, total value of the collection, and comments by the Rector)
1805-1809, 1812-1815, 1815-1818, 1818-1821, 1821-1833, 1833-1845, 1850-1866, 1866-1868,
1868-1876, 1876-1883, 1833-1888, 1888-1899, 1899-1904, 1905-1920, 1921-1934, 1934-1949,
1949-1974.
Confirmation Register:
(1). Confirmation, 1804-1870. (some records in combined registers, listed above)
Sunday School Roll Books:
Roll Books for the years: 1858, 1859, 1860-1861, 1862, 1872-1875, 1905-1908.
Temperance Society :
(1). Society Register, 1886-1917.
Miscellaneous Loose Papers: 1849-1996.
Parish Record Book: 1887-1889.

PARISH OF DONAGHPATRICK (St. Patrick's Church)

Register of Marriages:
(1). Marriages, 1846-1953.
Vestry Minute Book:
(1). 1804-1872.
Preachers' Books:
1870-1875, 1889-1901, 1901-1912, 1912-1925, 1925-1957, 1957-1980.

PARISH OF DRAKESTOWN (St. Patrick's Church, Castletown-Kilpatrick)

Register of Marriages:
(1). Marriages, 1889-1940.
Preachers' Books:
1888-1907, 1907-1969.

PARISH OF NEWTOWN (Dedication unknown)

Register of Marriages:
(1). Marriages, 1856-1901.

PARISH OF CLONGILL (St. Sinch's Church, Kilshine)

Combined Register:
(1). Register of baptisms, 1795-1804, and burials, 1795-1803.
Register of Marriages:
(1). Marriages, 1846-1915.
Vestry Minute Book:
(1). Vestry Book, 1810-1884.
Preachers' Books:
1913-1945, 1935-1957.

PARISH OF KILBERRY: (Dedication Unknown)

Vestry Minute Book:
(1). Vestry Book, 1702-1787.

PARISH OF MOYNALTY: (St. Mary's Church)

Register of Marriages:
(1). Marriages, 1845-1953.
Vestry Minute Book:
(1). Vestry Book, 1903-1952.
(2). Vestry Book, 1953-1963.
Register of Vestrymen:
(1). Vestrymen, 1894-1962.
Preachers' Books:
1935-1950, 1950-1992.

PARISH OF ARDBRACCAN (St. Ultan's Church)

Combined Register:
(1). Register of baptisms, 1874-1875, and burials, 1875.
Register of Marriages:
(1). Marriages, 1845-1955.
Vestry Minute Book:
(1). Vestry Book, 1767-1814.
(2). Vestry Book, 1815-1826.
(3). Vestry Book, 1827-1957.
Register of Vestrymen:
(1). Vestrymen, 1870-1970.
Account Books:
(1). Accounts, 1806-1821.
(2). Accounts, 1843-1870.
Preachers' Books:
1851-1870, 1871-1885, 1885-1895,1895-1919, 1920-1936, 1936-1969.
Maps and Plans:
(1). Architectural drawings for Ardbraccan Church: plan, elevations and sections, bound into Vestry Minute Book. p.50.5.1.

PARISH OF BALRATHBOYNE (St. Baithen's Church also known as Charlesfort Church)

Register of Marriages:
(1). Marriages, 1848-1952.
(2). Marriages, 1963.
Vestry Minute Book:
(1). Vestry Book, 1851-1869.
(2). Vestry Book, 1870-1892.
Account Books:
(1). Accounts, 1871-1876. (Account with Kells Savings Bank)
(2). Accounts, 1871-1882. (Collections)
(3). Accounts, 1922-1931. (Charlesfort Church Offertory Account)
Preachers' Books:
1854-1864, 1867-1882, 1883-1904, 1917-1936, 1917-1935, 1936-1966.
Confirmation Register:
(1). Confirmations:, 1882-1888. (in Sunday School Roll Book p.49.14.1.)
Sunday School Roll Books:
(1). Roll Book, 1876-1887. (including Confirmations, 1882, 1885, 1888.)
(2). Roll Book, 1927-1933.
Loose Papers: (unknown quantity).

PARISH OF CROSSAKEEL (St. Skier's Church, also known as Kilskyre Church)

Register of Baptisms:
(1). Baptisms, 1903-1962.
Register of Marriages:
(1). Marriages, 1845-1953.
Vestry Minute Books:
(1). Vestry Book, 1761-1854.
(2). Vestry Book, 1855-1933.
Preachers' Books:
1898-1908, 1908-1940, 1940-1966, 1966-1967.
Sunday School Records:
(1). Roll Book, 1901-1902.

THIS LIST COMPLETES ALL RECORDS FOR THE KELLS UNION OF PARISHES WHICH ARE DEPOSITED IN THE REPRESENTATIVE CHURCH BODY LIBRARY, BRAEMOR PARK, CHURCHTOWN, DUBLIN .

 

LIST OF ALL RECORDS FROM THE KELLS UNION OF PARISHES STILL HELD IN THE PARISH ARCHIVES.

PARISH OF KELLS (St. Columba's Church)

Register of Baptisms, 1877 to date.
Register of Marriages, 1957 to date (2 copies).
Register of Burials, 1904 to date.

PARISH OF DONAGHPATRICK (St. Patrick's Church)

Register of Baptisms, 1877 to date.
Register of Marriages, 1959 to date (2 copies).
Register of Burials, 1877 to date.
Vestry Minute Book, 1895-1970.

PARISH OF ARDBRACCAN (St. Ultan's Church)

Register of Baptisms, 1884-1971.
Register of Burials, 1884 to date.

PARISH OF BALRATHBOYNE (St. Baithen's Church, also known as Charlesfort Church)

Register of Baptisms, 1877-1963.

PARISH OF MOYNALTY (St. Mary's Church)

Register of Baptisms, 1893-1989.
Register of Burials, 1903-1990.

PARISH OF CROSAKEEL (St. Skire's Church, also known as Kilskyre Church)

Register of Burials, 1903-1990.

PARISH OF DRAKESTOWN (St. Patrick's Church, Castletown-Kilpatrick)

Register of Baptisms, 1881-1968.
Register of Burials, 1881-1974.

THIS COMPLETES THE LIST OF REGISTERS HELD IN THE PARISH ARCHIVES OF THE KELLS UNION OF PARISHES.