Bernard McCauley (1830-1902) and Anne Kerrin-McCauley (1847-1928) are buried in St. Nailes Cemetary in the township of Kinawley in Northern Ireland.  The church and cemetery are approximately 10 miles south of Enniskillen.  They had been married in St. Patrick’s Chapel in 1864 which is approximately two miles away.  This church and cemetery may have held some prominence as the church close to the farmland of Edward McCauley (1800-1875), Bernards father.   

The Parish of St. Nailes and its church have a remarkable history dating back to the 6^th century.  The church in Kinawley is dedicated to Saint Naile, a sixth century saint and friend of Saint Columcille who founded the church here. The ruins of the east wall and two side walls of a medieval church have survived. It appears to have been quite a large church for this period, measuring 65 feet by 20 feet. A holy well, Tobar Naile, is situated nearby.   

The name and location of the cemetery were known to me before travelling to Enniskillen, Northern Ireland in September of 2025.  I did not know the location of the maker in the cemetery nor if the stone was erect or still legible.  I had booked a consultation with local genealogist and historian, Frankie Roofe, and during that meeting he produced a historic survey of the cemetery. The typewritten three-ring binder was compiled in the 1960’s 0r 70’s and contains descriptions of the early grave markers and a map that indicates the locations.  I won’t voucher to the accuracy of the map or a typo of Bernard McCauley’s year of death, but the documents provide some important information.  Below is the entry from that survey for Bernard and Anne McCauley’s grave marker.

The above is a transcription the inscription on the grave marker.  “Erected by Agnes McCauley in memory of her beloved father Bernard McCauley died 10^th January 1902 (1962 an obvious typo) aged 72 years   Also her mother Anne McCauley Anne McCauley who died 28^th August 1928 age 86 years RIP. 

Agnes would have had this marker made after the death of her mother in 1928 as it is inclusive of both parents. There did not appear to be an existing marker with a new date which was added upon Anne’s death as is the convention today. A marker would have been a great expense to a farmer in 1902 Ireland. Agnes McCauley Kelly must have had the means to erect this marker after her mother died. There are two ornaments on the gravestone.  From the sketch in the archives book there was a cross on top of the stone.  This is missing from the marker and there are supports that seem to have housed that element at one time.  What the sketch lightly had was the claddagh symbol design one would find on a traditional Claddagh ring.  This can be seen on the grave marker.  

This map of the graveyard (Above) did not prove useful as the actual grave is not located at plot F10. It is an interesting artifact of the grave identification project.

This photo is from the Ireland Grave Project Archives of Bernard and Anne McCauley’s grave.

Below is a photo highlighting the supports for the cross that is now missing from the top of the stone. Also seen is the claddagh symbol.

The best photo angle that captures the most visibility of the inscription today was captured from below looking up.  In the last photo on the bottom, you can see the grave marker from the back. From this angle it sets behind the square area filled with white stones. It’s interesting to see it is positioned in the footprint of the old church which is dated back to the 6^th century.  

There are many other markers bearing the name McCauley and I feel confident they are relations in some way.  There is more to uncover with clues that will have to come from property records as many birth records were lost in a fire that occurred in Dublin during the civil war in 1922.

For those interested in more of the history of the church and cemetery, I have included these links. The last link listed has great information but has a difficult format to view.  An early photo of this Bernard and Anne’s grave marker is item 78.

Our Churches – Kinawley Killesher Parish 

Kinawley – Wikipedia 

St. Naile’s (R.C.) Church in Kinawley, County Fermanagh, N. Ireland [IGP Free Irish Genealogy