Church

The National Monuments Service's description

Near S end of graveyard (CO099-03001-); roofless ruin of C of I parish church of Templebreedy, known as St Matthew's. Rectangular church (int. 15.3m E-W; 6.75m N-S) with gabeled porch at W end (2.5m E-W; 2.3m N-S). Porch covered by rounded stone vault with a slate roof; slender square tower rises from its junction with W gable of church; slim stone spire atop tower, according to Coleman and Healy (1904-6) formerly surmounted by vane inscribed with date '1856'. Church lit by three segmental-arched window opes in S wall (window frames were rectangular with wooden lintels) and round-arched window in E wall. Traces of weatherslating on outer walls. Unroofed in late 1860s when new church built in Crosshaven town (O Murchadha 1967, 75). According to Lewis (1837, vol. 2, 601) 'erected in 1778, near site of a former church'.

The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Cork. Volume 2: East and South Cork' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1994). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research.

Date of upload/revision: 14 January 2009