Church

The National Monuments Service's description

National Monument No. 54. Templenahoe described in the Urban Survey of Kerry as follows; 'Only the nave of this church survives and originally it would have stretched further to the east, close to the Romanesque west front of the cathedral (KE020-046002-). Its features suggest a date of c. 1170-80. It was a simple nave and chancel structure but only the nave survives at present, measuring 11 by 6.5m. Short sections of the N and S walls of the chancel are still attached to the crossing wall and the gable line of the steeply pitched chancel roof is present. The masonry consists of uncoursed limestone and sandstone with dressed red sandstone quoins and jambs. The quoins are marked by three-quarter columns and there is an eaves-course along the side walls with short returns onto the E and W walls. The eaves course and quoin capitals (based on cushion forms) are decorated with scallop patterns, bosses and heads. The NE quoin and corner of the building is largely rebuilt. The east wall stands of a height of c. 8m and has a large weathered chancel arch of two orders, but originally consisting of three. The inner arch is decorated on the internal face and soffit with chevron design of low rounded mouldings and nail head ornament. The imposts had foliage patterns, bosses and buds. The face of the outer arch has three bands of mouldings separated by bands of nail-head which is very weathered. The N wall stands to a height of 6m and the east end, where Leask (1955-60, 155) noted the position of a window, is largely rebuilt. Towards the W end is a single-light round arched window with sloping sandstone sill. It originally had sandstone jambs but these are largely replaced with pick-dressed limestone. The rear arch is flat lintelled. The S wall is of similar height and the middle section is rebuilt. There is a very fine round arched red sandstone window at the E end of the wall. The opening is narrow but is widely splayed internally and it has a sloping sill. The window is bordered internally and externally with a frieze of floral and foliage patterns separated by whorls and mouldings. The W gable is complete, c. 9.5m high, with a trabeate window with sandstone jambs high in the gable and round arched door of two orders. The jambs and voussoirs are damaged and undecorated. Externally the inner order was stepped and chamfered and the outer order projects outwards from the wall surface. The hood moulding over the door is decorated with conical bosses and the stops consisted of animal heads although only the S one survives' (Bradley et. al. 1987, 33-5).

Revised by: Caimin O'Brien

Date of revised upload: 6 May 2022

References

Toal, C. 1995 North Kerry Archaeological Survey. Dingle. Brandon in association with FAS Training and Employment Authority.

Bradley, J., Halpin, A., and King, H.A. 1987 Urban archaeological survey - county Kerry. Unpublished report commissioned by the Office of Public Works, Dublin.

Leask, H.G. 1955 (Reprint 1977 and 1987) Irish churches and monastic buildings, vol. I. The first phases of the Romanesque. Dundalk. Dundalgan Press.