Church

The National Monuments Service's description

In NW corner of graveyard (14583). Ruin of rectangular church (int. greater than 17.3m E-W; int. 4.85m N-S), heavily ivy-clad. West gable with returns of N (int. L 8.3m) and S (int. L 8.3m) walls all that now stand. West gable crowned by bellcote (see photograph Grove White 1905-25, vol. 3, opp. 186). High up on gable is window with single flat-headed light high. Gap in N wall (Wth 1.4m), immediately E of W gable, may mark site of doorway. External projection at W end of S wall may be remains of annexe (church depicted on 1842 OS 6-inch map as irregular 'T-shaped' structure) or may mark buttress (see photograph, ibid.). Also in N wall is ruined doorway covered by segmental arch. Line of S wall continues to E of standing portion as overgrown rise; position of E gable probably marked by similar rise and burial vault, c. 9m E of standing portions of N and S walls. A 1906 account of church (ibid., 186) describes 'three different styles...of architecture', two different in age but ancient, the third 'more recent improvements...executed by the Holmes family, whose monument [dated 1757]...is so conspicuous an object'. Adjoining and parallel to church on S side were 'the foundations and part of the walls of some structure...nearly 30 feet by about 12 feet...[which] appears to be quite as old as the main building itself' (ibid.). Remains of parish church of Imphrick. Reported 'in ruins' in 1615 (Brady 1863, vol. 2, 306). A church here listed in Papal Taxation of 1291 (ibid.).

The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Cork. Volume 4: North Cork' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 2000). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research.

Date of upload/revision: 14 January 2009