On our way to Kells #6 (day 2); Robertstown, Co. Meath

After our visit of Staholmog, we went slightly north to look for Robertstown cemetery. We were having some trouble finding it on the GPS, so we went for Roberstown Castle, and found it - as is no longer a surprise - in the middle of a field with a cow next to it.

We took a turn right after passing the castle, and found the cemetery a bit further away. It is hidden among the trees and accessible through a small path. It is difficult to describe how quiet and sheltered it feels within, so here are a few pictures of the view from behind the bushes.

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Before even reaching the cemetery itself, on the small path leading there from the road, stands a very strange stone cross, which also looks quite old. It depicts a crucifixion, and was visibly broken and patched back together (it is visible just under the figure of Christ). But what makes it so interesting is the other figure depicted above Christ, sort of sitting on the cross. I don't think it is a representation of the Christian God ("Father") - the representation of the human figure was rare enough in Gaelic Ireland, let alone the all-powerful figure of the maker of all things. Could it be a demon? Another possibility would be of some sort of mix between a Pagan god and the God of Christianity. The "things" on either side of its head remind me of Cernunos, for example. I also have a strange feeling, like I have seen this picture (or a very similar one) before. Maybe in one of my art history classes or books, but I'll have to wait until I go back to France before I can check. Also, I should insist that this is all my personal rambling thoughts. I have no idea when the stone was originally cut, it might be a lot more recent than I imagine (still strange, though).

*After a Twitter conversation, it turns out there is an inscription on the cross (I hadn't noticed it) which dates it 1685, and that strange figure might be a winged head (I'm still seeing arms and a body, but I'd need to go back and look up close again).

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Compared with what I was used to so far in my visits of Kildare graveyards, this one seems to have been the home of much less well-off people. The standing stones are comparatively few, and the soil is scattered with small stones, clearly laid there to mark graves, but most of which were never larger than that, and never inscribed with text. They were enough for family members to

know where to mourn, but not for the name to stay visible for all to remember. The place was also quite unkempt, and the ground of some graves had collapsed, which gives quite an impressive image.

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Among the standing stones, one is a perfect representation of the importance of keeping a connection to a specific place after emigration, as it was commissioned from San Francisco by James Cartkand (that's what I am reading, but it's probably Cartland) to commemorate his mother Mary, his brother Thomas, and his sister Julia. It is also probably a testimony of James's successful emigration. There is no indication of the date the stone was erected, but Thomas died in 1894 aged 13, which is quite young. And I can't read how old Julia was, but she died in 1878; that is 16 year before her brother died (and three years before he was born). Therefore, there is a good chance she was an infant when she died, and it also means she did not have a stone engraved to her name for at least 16 years. As for the mother, she died in 1891. Whatever the exact date the stone was erected, it was clearly a way for James to make up for the financial impossibility of a stone before, as well as a way not only to commemorate his dead family members, but also to be remembered by the community he had left (his own name comes first).

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Although most of the standing stones are relatively recent, there are a few interesting specimens of more richly engraved, older slabs. Among the pictures below, one was erected to the memory of people who died in the mid-18th century. The other two pictures are of one grave which commemorates people who died in the first half of the 19th century. It depicts an interesting, very simple crucifixion. On either side of it are two winged souls, very chubby and with an original haircut.