Templemichael church, Ballynatray estate, Cork.
All images : Sigma SD15, 15-30mm f3.5-4.5 lens,iso 50
Templemichael church and grave yard, County Cork
Landscape Photography : Nigel Borrington
TempleMichael church, County Cork
If you walk around the Irish landscape, one feature that cannot be avoided and that you will come across very quickly is the countries abandoned church yards, I find these places just amazing to walk around. The grave yard here must contain at least 200 graves, all surrounding the church which is itself in ruins and just a shell.
I have no intention of dealing with the history and as to why these places are forgotten, but I think that anyone would feel a little uneasy walking around these yards. Generations of French/British/Irish – European people rest here, families going back some two or three hundred years.
No one left to lay flowers, No one to cut the grass. Most of the head stones are slowly falling over and the names disappearing. my only personal interest in these church’s is based around the fact that when I walk around them I see no one visiting, no one sitting next to the grave’s of their ancestors, any descendants are absent from these place’s.
History of TempleMichael church
In 1183 Raymond le Gros established a Preceptory of Knights Templar at Rhincrew, an out post of which was TempleMichael. The keep was built specifically to control the river crossing.
The now ruined Church of Ireland parish church dates from 1823 it was built with a grant from the Board of the First Fruits, and until about twenty years ago was used for worship.
Gallery of TempleMichael church and grave’s
Nigel Borrington 
Unkept gravestones always make such wonderful photographic images.
July 1, 2013 at 2:18 pm
Hello Victoria 🙂
Yes, I think that’s very true. These places hold so much history and can only make you stop and think.
July 1, 2013 at 2:27 pm
Nigel, as you say it is sad to see these graveyards going to ruin. It is a real shame that the local authorities let them fall into disrepair. Cleaning up the place and documenting/listing the names on the graves (if possible) would make for a good history Project for some University students
July 1, 2013 at 2:53 pm
Hello Noel….
Absolutely and that’s a great idea.
I feel very much that everything that happened in Ireland is Irish history, It just seems wrong that these places for what ever reason are left to fall into the ground like this.
History is history, it all happened here, just like Irish people today these people are someone’s ancestor’s. Irish people from around the world are well known for visiting the graves of their ancestor’s back here in Ireland.
You can still find these places if you want but it’s a little shocking like you say that some money is not found for their up-keep.
July 1, 2013 at 3:07 pm
Excellent photography
July 1, 2013 at 3:53 pm
Hello Scott…
Thank you that’s a great thing to say – Many thanks 🙂
July 1, 2013 at 7:28 pm
It is a great landscape oozing history. Looking at these photographs I realize that here is a country I still like to check out.
July 1, 2013 at 6:52 pm
Hello Joseph.
Yes I do love the Irish landscape, as everywhere its not all like that but you don’t to search to hard to find great places 🙂
July 1, 2013 at 7:30 pm
Lost people, lost times … does make one think Nigel .
Love your photos .
July 2, 2013 at 9:29 am
I think old gravestones make good shots too. Sad images though they may be.
July 4, 2013 at 2:14 pm
Hello Norma,
Yes I agree with you and just love these places !
July 4, 2013 at 5:47 pm