Community Historian Brendan Matthews

Community Historian Brendan Matthews. “Ninch Burial Mound”. Photo by Brendan Matthews taken in 2021depicts that of the Iron Age Burial Mound at Ninch, near Laytown. This Burial Mound sits on a high ridge overlooking the great Nanny River immediately to the south. It was originally just over 25 metres in diameter at its base however a section of the Mound was removed when the road here was realigned in the mid 1970`s. The Burial Mound rises steeply to a height of almost six metres. In 1973 the southern side of this Mound was partially demolished on its southern side facing the Nanny Water and, as a result, a preservation order was placed on this significant archaeological site. In 1979 the National Parks & Monuments Branch of the Office of Public Works decided to carry out a limited archaeological excavation and conservation work to restore the damage that had been caused by the bulldozer back in 1973 and in the course of this excavation two skeletal remains were discovered close to the damaged area at the base of the Mound. The two Inhumation Burials were found in separate individual grave-cuttings close to each other. Charcoal samples associated with both burials recovered from the excavation indicated a Radiocarbon date of activity between the 3rd and 4th century. (around 1800 years ago). The Skeletal remains were of two males aged between 25 and 30 years old and both were laid to Rest in the Mound surrounded by carefully placed stones; both Inhumations were also covered in thin or fine layers of Ferns after having been placed close to the base of the mound. A number of flint flakes and flint scrapers were also recovered in the excavation. Following the rescue, recovery and conservation of the base of the mound in 1979, the remains of this very significant Iron Age archaeological site was left undisturbed and protected. In Folklore Tales, this particular site here at Ninch was believed to have been the Burial Mound of Laogh, the Charioteer of our Epic Irish Hero Cú Chulainn.

Within These Walls
A Heritage Week 2026 Presentation by Community Historian Brendan Matthews
As part of Heritage Week 2026, themed Heritage at Risk, join Community Historian Brendan Matthews at the substantial remains of Drogheda’s medieval defensive town walls, at the Garda Station car park at West Gate, on Sunday, August 23rd at 11am.
Brendan will explore why these defensive walls surrounded the newly established town in the 13th century, their purpose and function, and how they began to decline from the mid-18th century onwards.
He will also examine why it is important to preserve, protect and promote what remains of Drogheda’s medieval town walls. Here in the West Gate quarter, a substantial section survives, extending from the site of the former medieval West Gate towards the River Boyne; a powerful example of Local Heritage at Risk.
The presentation will last approximately one hour and will be delivered in a relaxed and informal manner.
Meeting: Garda Station car park, West Gate
Time: 11am, Sunday August 23rd
Free event and all are welcome.

History & Heritage Walk & Talk
Early Christian Monastic Site, Medieval Church & Ancient Graveyard, Stamullen
With Brendan Matthews Historian in Association with Boyne Valley Trails.
Welcome to Boyne Valley Trails September festival 2026.
Step back over 1,000 years into the heart of Early Christian and medieval Ireland in the peaceful setting of Steach Maoilín (Stamullen).
Join Brendan Matthews for a fascinating guided walk through one of County Meath's hidden historic treasures. Explore the atmospheric ruins of St Patrick's Medieval Parish Church and the adjoining 15th-century St Christopher's Chapel, home to magnificent medieval monuments and a remarkable collection of rare carved tombstones.
Discover the stories of the Preston family, Viscounts Gormanston, along with the lives of the lords and ladies, soldiers, schoolteachers, poets, landlords, tenants and even highwaymen whose lives are remembered within this ancient burial ground. Every monument has a story to tell, revealing over a thousand years of local history.
Delivered in Brendan's relaxed and engaging style, this one-hour Walk & Talk offers an enjoyable afternoon of history, heritage and storytelling suitable for all ages.
Date: Sunday, 13th September 2026
Time: 3.00pm – 4.00pm
Meeting Point: Entrance to St Patrick's Graveyard, Stamullen Village (opposite the Village Supermarket)
Location: St Patrick's Graveyard, Stamullen, Co. Meath (10km south-east of Drogheda)
Eircode: K32 EH98
Terrain: Easy walking on footpaths throughout & suitable for all ages.
Cost: €10 per person.
To book tickets for this event and for further details about the Boyne Valley Trails September festival events, log onto https://boynevalleytrails.ie/events/history-tour-stamullen-monastic-site-medieval-church-graveyard/

History & Heritage Walk n Talk.
Community Historian Brendan Matthews will present the final History & Heritage Walk n Talk for the summer of 2026 on Wednesday evening August 19th next starting at the bottom of Mary Street . Brendan will take you on this intriguing walk through the rural hidden section of the Dale Valley for the first time passing underneath the Navan Railway-line in the Dale, through old lanes & returning by Bully`s Acre into Sunnyside to St. Mary`s Cottages on the mount before descending down the 101 steps back into the Dale where the walk will finish where it began. Free to attend with donations if desired for the further research and presentation of a `living-history`.

History & Heritage Walk n Talk.
Community Historian Brendan Matthews will present the final History & Heritage Walk n Talk for the summer of 2026 on Wednesday evening August 19th next starting at the bottom of Mary Street at 7.30pm. Brendan will take you on this intriguing walk through a rural hidden section of the Dale Valley for the first time along some old tracks & trails and passing underneath the Navan Railway-line in the Dale; returning by Bully`s Acre through Sunnyside to St. Mary`s Cottages on the mount before descending down the 101 steps back into the Dale where the walk will finish where it began just after 8.30pm. Free to attend with donations if desired for the further research and presentation of a `living-history`.

Community Historian Brendan Matthews. “John Boyle O'Reilly Festival. From 13th August - 16th August 2026. A wide variety of events will take place over 4 days full of music, history and art. All information can be found on the page. https://www.facebook.com/people/John-Boyle-o-Reilly-Festival/61567986232750/ Community Historian Brendan Matthews will speak about the local Fenians in theDrogheda & district area on Saturday August 13th beginning at 12 noon at Netterville House Dowth.

Community Historian Brendan Matthews. Sisters of Saint Clare update. Photos captured by Brendan Matthews earlier today Friday August 7th 2026 at Moorechurch Graveyard. Apparently the remains of the nuns were removed towards the close of July last. The remains were taken to Moorechurch where they were reinterred in another burial plot of the Sisters of Saint Clare at this particular burial ground at Moorechurch. The top photograph depicts the large burial-plot area of the nuns which has very recently been covered in a layer of concrete while two , newly-made, wooden crosses have also been laid down on the surface of this plot. The two crosses contain the names of nine Sisters, four names on one cross and five names on the second cross. These nine Sisters were originally interred within the Sisters own `private` burial plot which was located at the rear of Stedalt House. Apparently the removal of the remains was sanctioned following a request from the Sisters of Saint Clare themselves. Stedalt House is no longer in use by any of the religious or holy orders, but is now in private ownership and so the nuns made a decision to have the remains of the Sisters removed to their other burial-plot at Moorechurch. Each burial-plot at Stedalt House had formerly a lovely decorative metal memorial grave-marker containing each name depicting the individual plots. It is not known at this time what will happen to those memorial plaques. Many, many people across the greater Stamullen district were saddened and some were angry at the removal of the remains of the Sisters from Stedalt House to Moorechurch Graveyard particularly in the manner in which it took place with very few people being aware of what was intended here !

Community Historian Brendan Matthews. Stedalt Burial Ground. Photos by Brendan Matthews depicts, the top photograph captured by Brendan Matthews in July 2026 showing the old Sisters of Saint Clare`s, burial ground at Stedalt, while the bottom photograph depicts the same location; this photo having been taken on Tuesday August 4th 2026.; just this week. As you can see from the bottom photograph the burial plots and remains of the late Sisters of Saint Clare have been very recently removed from their former small burial-ground which was located at the rear of Stedalt House in Stamullen since their arrival here back in the mid 1950`s. The burial-ground contained a number of decorative metal grave-markers which were erected over each burial plot containing the names of the Nuns who had passed away and were interred at Stedalt over the three decades that the Sisters of St. Clare were resident at Stedalt House. All that remains this week on the site is the large white cross depicting the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.