Graveyard at Ballyprior More, Brown’s Bay Road, Islandmagee, Larne, Co Antrim

This graveyard, of some antiquity and local historical interest, is situated at Ballyprior More, Islandmagee, County Antrim. It is contained within a raised enclosure, partially bordered by stone revetment, and accessed by a gateway of rubble basalt piers, harled in a rough render. The western pier incorporates a small chamber with a cast iron door, used as a store. The gateway includes a flat-iron gate, and cement-rendered steps lead to the western pier.

Memorials within the graveyard date from the 17th and 18th centuries, although the majority visible are from the 19th and 20th centuries and possess no particular architectural merit. One stone features a carved hand in relief on its reverse, though the inscription and date are illegible.

The graveyard appears on an Ordnance Survey map of 1832 and is reportedly the site of the former monastery of Ballyprior, though no monastic remains are visible. It was described in the early 19th century as “a place of extreme antiquity,” with the oldest recorded inscription dating from 1687. The graveyard is designated as a monument, with the reference ANT41:5. The setting is secluded, surrounded by open countryside and bounded by shrubs and hedges, and is reached via a lane leading off the main road.