A small ruined early church with a Romanesque doorway and two bullaun or hollowed stones are contained within Toomore graveyard. This modern cemetery once formed part of a much earlier, large circular ecclesiastical enclosure. The size of the original site, calculated from what remains of its surrounding wall, was approximately three acres in extent. This would be an indication that it was a place of considerable importance, although today, very little is known of its history or of the religious who served there. The ruined church, is faced inside and outside with large slabs of stone, with a rubble filling in the cavity. The doorway, is thought to be c. 10^th century.

Church in ruins at Toomore.

The moss covered Bullaun or hollowed stone, pictured below, is one of two situated near the church at Toomore. Bullauns are enigmatic monuments, usually associated with ecclesiastical sites, however, their function is open to speculation. Differing opinions as to their use have been put forward, including, that they were used to grind herbs in, or that ore or dyes were crushed in them. Others think that the stones were used as holy-water fonts and more sinister uses have also been suggested. Some of the stones hold water all the year round and curative powers, such as a remedy for warts, are ascribed to the waters. In any event, the mystery surrounding these stones only enhances their appeal as attractive, and thought provoking objects.

Bullaun Stone

Of more modern interest is the grave of a heroine of the War of Independence, Dr. Brigid Lyons-Thornton, a native of Co. Roscommon, who, after the death of her mother, moved to Longford to live with her uncle. A medical student, and aged about twenty at the time of the Easter Rising, she served in the Four Courts, during Easter Week 1916. After the surrender, she was imprisoned in Kilmainham, and from her cell she heard the volleys as the leaders of the rising were executed. After her release from prison she continued her medical studies and qualified as a doctor. She served in the Free State army and was Commissioned by Michael Collins in 1922, she became the only woman officer in the army. She later married Capt. Eddie Thornton of Toomore.

Dr. Brigid died aged 91 and was interred on Easter Monday 1987 in Toomore graveyard. Members of the Western Command rendered military honours at her burial and her coffin was draped in the Tricolour. Her grave is marked by the memorial plaque shown below.

Memorialtablet on the grave of Dr. Brigid Lyons Thornton

A new book by Dr. John Cowell, tells the story of this remarkable woman. The title is “A Noontide Blazing”, it is published by Currach Press and will be available in February.