Ecclesiastical enclosure

The National Monuments Service's description

In pasture, on the steep S-facing slopes of Knockatemple, a long ridge orientated NE-SW parallel to the Dealagh River estuary. The site is overlooked by higher ground to the N, with panoramic views to the S and W. Indicated on the 1840 and 1916 OS 6-inch maps with the NE quadrant named ‘Glebe’ on the former. The identity of the Lonáin referenced in the townland name Cill Easpaig Lonáin has been disputed. Both O’Donovan and Frost identified ‘Bishop Lonane’ with St Flannan of Killaloe (Swan 1987, 162; Frost 1893, 108), although this was queried by Westropp (1910, 152). Westropp identified the founder as ‘Bishop Lonan, a friend of St Maccreiche’ (1900-1, 136). The site had a parish church (CL015-059002-) in the later medieval period (Ní Ghabhláin 1996, 40). The ecclesiastical enclosure was identified by Swan (1987).

A subcircular ecclesiastical enclosure (diam. c. 260m N-S) which can be traced from N to SW in the contemporary field matrix. The enclosure is visible as a curvilinear field boundary defined by a stone and earth bank with a thorn hedge along its NE quadrant and a stream along its SE quadrant. Part of the SW quadrant is visible as a slight earthwork in a field of pasture with marshy ground to the S. The NW quadrant of the enclosure has no visible remains. There is a crossroads at the centre of the enclosure. The grassed-over remains of the church (CL015-059002-) and a building (CL015-059006-) are visible on OSi MapGenie orthophotography (2013-2018) at the S extent and a trapezoidal-shaped graveyard (CL015-059003-) is to the NW of that. A holy well (CL015-059005-) is located just E of the ecclesiastical enclosure and a stone head (CL015-059004-) found there is now in the National Museum.

References:
Westropp, T. J. 1910 Notes on the antiquities around Kilfenora and Lehinch, Co. Clare, part III. North Munster Archaeological Society 1, 147-59.
Swan, L 1987 A carved stone head from Killaspuglonane, Co. Clare. In Rynne, E. (ed.) Figures from the past: studies on figurative art in Christian Ireland, 159-67. Glendale Press. Dublin.
Ní Ghabhláin, S. 1996 The origin of medieval parishes in Gaelic Ireland. The evidence from Kilfenora. Journal of the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland 126, 37-61.

Compiled by: Mary Tunney and Eve Campbell

Date of upload: 11 July 2023

References

Westropp, T.J. 1900-02 The churches of Co. Clare and the origin of the ecclesiastical divisions in that county. Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy, Series 3, vol. 6, 100-180.