Church

The National Monuments Service's description

Known as the 'cross church of Moreen' it is said to have been built on a battleground (Ball & Hamilton, 1895, 134). Some sources identify Balally with the BALLYVROOLEF listed in the papal bull of 1179 (Cotter 1991). In 1297 a Plea Roll recorded a legal action between John le Botiller and the Abbot of Wetheney, Abbington, Co. Limerick 'as to the right of presentation to the church of Balihawly' (Mount 1990, 120). Remains comprise the foundation of a rectangular structure, built of undressed granite masonry (int. dims. L 10.40m, Wth 5.2m, Wall Wth 0.95m). A series of pits revealed during the excavation of the site produced a strap-tag with interlaced decoration of 7th-10th century date (Mount 1991, 23-24). Further excavations in 2003 revealed a double-ditched enclosure. Finds included a medieval rotary quern and coarse local ware. No structures were identified (O'Donnchadha, 2006, 106).

Compiled by Geraldine Stout
Date of upload: 26th April 2012

References

Mount, C. 1991 Cross Church of Moreen, Balally. In I. Bennett (ed.), Excavations 1990: summary accounts of archaeological excavations in Ireland, 23-5. Bray. Wordwell.

Cotter, C. 1991a St. Olaf's Church, Balally. In I. Bennett (ed.), Excavations in 1990: summary accounts of archaeological excavations in Ireland, 24. Bray. Wordwell.

Cotter, C. 1991b Porterstown. In I. Bennett (ed.), Excavations 1990: summary accounts of archaeological excavations in Ireland, 27. Bray. Wordwell.

Cotter, C. 1992 King Willaim Rampart Finglas West. In I. Bennett (ed.), Excavations 1991: summary accounts of archaeological excavations in Ireland, 16. Bray. Wordwell.

Ball and Hamilton 1895 The parish of Taney: a history of Dundrum, near Dublin and its neighbourhood. Dublin.