Graveyard

The National Monuments Service's description

Situated on high ground in pasture with extensive views from SE to NW. Area of site 'Church' (KE029-033001-) 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 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. Graveyard or burial ground described in 1940 as follows; 'There was also a 'well defined grave site 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 and graveyard; '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. 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

OSNB - Ordnance Survey Name Books. Pro-forma books arranged by Civil Parish for recording townland and other name-forms and compiled in the course of the OS 6-inch survey 1824-1841. The name books also include minor names and incidental references to antiquities. National Archives of Ireland.