Chapel

The National Monuments Service's description

Situated on high ground in pasture with extensive views from SE to NW. Area of site 'Church' also known locally as 'Tempaleen' (Kerry Field Club) covered in overgrowth at time of inspection. Lismore House 230m to SE. Located in the townland of Lismore, Parish of Ratass, Diocese of Ardfert, Barony of Trughanacmy. Depicted as a building aligned NW-SE with sub-rectangular shaped area possibly a graveyard (KE029-033001-) attached to SE end of church on 1841 ed. OSi 6-inch map. Annotated 'Church (in ruins)' on the 1841 ed. OSi 6-inch map. In 1841 the Ordnance Survey recorded the following details abut this chapel; 'In the Townland of Lismore in this Parish is pointed out the foundations and about two feet [0.6m] of the height of the walls of an old church called the same name with the townland. No tradition of the period of it’s erection. It was only a small Chapel of Ease' (OSL; O'Donovan 1983, 62-3). The church appears to have been built in the centre of an enclosure which is visible on Digital Globe orthoimage taken between 2011-13 and is partially indicated on 25-inch OSi map. Church site described in 1940 as follows; 'The church also appears to have been built within the circle of a fort it measures 39 ft. [12m] by 132 ft. [40m] and probably owes its preservation to the fact that a former occupier of the land placed trees in and around the site. The local residents mentioned that there was a holy well [KE029-033002-] in connection with this site at which rounds used to be paid' (Minutes Book of Kerry Field Club). The Kerry field club also recorded that many architectural stones were used in the building of walls, gateways and outoffices at Lismore. There was also a 'well defined grave site (KE029-033003-) in the field where the church is reported to have stood' (SMR File). The Ordnance Survey Name Books recorded the following details about this church site; 'The ruin of this church is 40 feet [12m] long and 18 ft. [5.5m] wide. The walls about 3 ft. [0.9m] high and is placed in the east side of an oblong enclosure about 1½ [30m] chains long and one [20m] broad defined by a fosse or old stone wall the inside of which represents a burial place formerly in use, but is now deserted save children who it is said are sometimes interred in it [KE029-033004-]. It is placed in a field and on the summit of a small hill' (OSNB Ratass Parish).

Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien

Date of upload: 3 June 2022

References

O'Donovan, J. 1983 The antiquities of the county of Kerry. Cork. Royal Carbery Books.

OSL - Ordnance Survey Letters. Letters written by members of the Ordnance Survey's 'Topographical Department' (T. O'Conor, A. O'Curry, E. Curry, J. O'Donovan and P. O'Keeffe) sent to headquarters from the field (1834-41). MSS in Royal Irish Academy.