Church

The National Monuments Service's description

In centre of graveyard (14567). Fragmentary remains of large rectangular church (31.7m WSW-ENE; 11.2m NNW-SSE) survive in two sections: C of I church (14713) incorporates SE corner; standing independently is much of W gable (L 9.32m) with short return of N wall (L 6.1m), built of large well-shaped limestone blocks. Gable (T 1.12m) survives to near full height, with off-centre doorway, 5.1m from NW corner; short distance above doorway is window embrasure. Both doorway (H 2.7m; Wth 1.45m) and window (H 1.5m) recently repaired in sandstone. Row of three large limestone corbels projects from inner face, below present top of doorway; corresponding beam socket at W end of N wall. Base of S end of W wall recently built-up with sandstone (to H 2.5m), under overhanging original masonry. North wall founded on plinth. Bowman (1934, 218) mentions 'Sacrarium' adjacent to remains of W gable; according to Grove White (1905-25, vol. 2, 223), 'part of field to W of ruins...was flagged'. For description of SE corner of church see 14713. According to some sources, an Augustinian friary founded by the O'Callaghans but this attribution is ambiguous (Gwynn and Hadcock 1988, 364). Church appears to be 15th-century in date; described as perpetual vicarage of Clonmeen in 1469 (ibid.). However, church is much larger than average late medieval parish church in Cork. Parish church of Clonmeen, in possession of Mourne Abbey until 1577 (de Búrca 1994, Fiant 3121). Reported 'in good repair' in 1615, but out of repair in 1676, lapsed into ruins 1694 due to 'the Irish in the late war' (Brady 1863, vol. 2, 139-40).

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