The Follies Trust wants to conserve the unique pyramid structures in Naas’s Maudlins Cemetery

The Follies Trust, based in Co Armagh, is appealing for information about two unusual pyramid mausoleums in a Naas, Co Kildare cemetery.

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According to Kildare Now, The Follies Trust was established to conserve, preserve, restore and protect follies (a costly ornamental building with no practical purpose) throughout the island of Ireland which are of particular beauty or historic, environmental, architectural or industrial significance.”

The Follies Trust has taken a particular interest in the conservation of the two pyramid mausoleums in Naas’s Maudlins Cemetery as they believe there are no two structures of its kind in such close proximity to each other in either Ireland or the UK.

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According to the Naas Local History Group, the Maudlins Cemetery in Naas “features some unique pyramid-shaped vaults. 

“One such enclosure was erected in memory of the wife of Walter Hussey Burg, grandson of the famous 18th-century patriot and MP of the same name, whose seat was at Donore House, Caragh. 

“There are also vaults and enclosures containing the remains of many local titled families such as the Earls of Mayo, the Earls of Clonmel, the deBurgs of Oldtown and the De Robecks of Gowran Grange. 

“One very interesting resident of the graveyard is the famous Cartographer, Lieutenant Alexander Taylor. It is ironical that when he produced his well-known map of Kildare in 1783 the land was referred to by him as burial ground. It was to be his last resting place having died and been buried there himself in 1828.”

The Trust said: “Before embarking on this project, the Trust is keen to know of and hear from any descendants or members of the families who erected these important mausolea who have not already been in touch with the Trust — both to inform them of the Trust’s proposals and equally important, to learn of whatever further information about the members of the families commemorated on the mausolea that the Trust may not be aware of or has been unable to glean from other sources.”

People with information are encouraged to write to: The Chairman, The Follies Trust, 146 Marlacoo Road, Portadown, Co Armagh. BT62 3TD.

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On January 30, the Follies Trust will host a lecture, “Pyramids and follies in Central Leinster,” to be delivered by Andrew Tierney at St. David’s Church in Naas, Co Kildare.

The Trust says the aim of the lecture is to “raise awareness of the unique and important pair of pyramid mausolea in Maudlins burial ground and the need for their conservation. The Follies Trust in partnership with the Vestry, the RCB and Kildare County Council has already undertaken a survey of the structures.”

Have you ever visited the Maudlins Cemetery in Naas, Co Kildare? Let us know in the comments