Church

The National Monuments Service's description

Kill is likely to have originated in an early monastic foundation (KD019-008002-), and although no visible surface traces survive, the OSL (Herity 2002, 23 (65)) suggest the monastery lay on the site of, or near, the 19th century St John's Church, and Bradley et al (1986 vol. 3, 296-8) concur. In 1993, pre-development archaeological test-trenching led to the discovery of portion of the enclosing fosse of a probable ecclesiastical enclosure (KD019-008007-), and the enclosed area was probably also the location of a later, Anglo-Norman church, of which no visible surface survives. According to Bradley et al (op. cit.), the church of Kill (SS Mary and Brigid) had been granted to St Thomas' Abbey, Dublin by 1202, and while its mention in several 13th century grants suggest it was of some importance, little is known of its later medieval history. It was still associated with St Thomas' Abbey in 1540, and continued to function after the Dissolution. A font (KD019-008005-) of possible 16th century date lies outside the N door of St John's Church. A chamfered window jambstone with glazing groove and bar holes from the medieval church lies in the graveyard to the S of the C of I church. Present St. John's Church was probably built on site of medieval church.

Compiled by: Gearóid Conroy

Date of upload: 10 June 2011

References

Bradley, J., Halpin, A., and King, H.A. 1986 Urban Archaeological Survey - County Kildare (4 vols.). Unpublished report commissioned by the Office of Public Works, Dublin.

Herity, M. (ed.) 2002 Ordnance Survey Letters Kildare. Dublin. Four Masters Press.