Folklore: End of Penal Laws Songs from Clones

Subject: Folklore: End of Penal Laws Songs from Clones
From: ejsant
Date: 24 Apr 05 - 07:38 AM

Greetings All,

Whilst traveling from Armagh to Ennis we stopped in a village called Clones. As we wandered about in this lovely village we came across an Abby ruin. There were unique grave markers in the burial grounds. They typically depicted an hour glass, a skull and crossed bones, a bell, and a coffin. We had not seen such grave markers any where else we traveled in Ireland.

When we enquired of the village's historian (who most graciously invited us into his home and served us tea) we were told that these were from the era just post the end of the Penal Laws. The lore was that this was the time that Ireland's middle class started to develop and these markers were intended to serve as a reminder that as one would gather material things our time here is limited and one should not pay great homage to that which is material.

I would like to know if there were any songs composed that reflected this lore. As always thank you for your time and assistance.

Peace,
Ed