Church

The National Monuments Service's description

In centre of graveyard (14567). Roofless remains of former C of I parish church of Clonmeen. Rectangular church (14.25m E-W; 8.25m N-S) incorporating SE corner of much-larger late-medieval church (14411) which has otherwise been removed apart from its W gable which stands near W wall of graveyard. South wall of C of I church is same thickness (Wth c. 1.15m) as W gable of medieval church, but E, N and W walls are narrower (Wth c. 0.6m). South wall contains doorway and window of late-medieval appearance. Doorway, near W end, has moulded limestone door surround with pointed arch, covered by stepped hood moulding; overhead is segmental relieving arch. Surround of door has been inserted or re-erected into its present position. Window, near E end of wall, has splayed embrasure now blocked up; single bicusped ogee-headed light under hood moulding; window appears to be in its original position. There is second blocked-up window embrasure immediately E of doorway, with a decayed wooden window frame of 18th/19th-century appearance. Central window in E wall also has a decayed wooden window frame, with Y-tracery. East end wall now reduced to height of side walls; according to Bowman (1934, 218) a carved stone head was inserted at the top of the gable. South wall topped by slightly projecting stone course at eaves line; below this is line of finely tapered drip stones, suggests that top of wall formerly had a parapet; Bowman (ibid.) suggests these were inserted here 'by way of ornament'. West gable also reduced in height: lower part of central oculus window survives. Quoins at E end of church much larger than those at W end; those at SE corner original quoins of late-medieval church, but those at NE corner must be reset. Interior overgrown: walls lined with remains of cladding of perforated slates; iron grate near SW corner. Concrete slabs at E end probably cover a burial vault; this may be 'tomb of the O'Callaghans, erected 1735' which reputedly held remains of Alexander Mac Donald, killed in Battle of Knocknanuss (14694). Church probably built/rebuilt c. 1718 when chalice presented to church (Grove White 1905-25, vol. 2, 226). Reported 'in want of repairs' in 1860 (Brady 1863, vol. 2, 144). According to local information de-roofed c. 1969.

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