Church

The National Monuments Service's description

Inch Church/Teampall Inse: The 'Eccia de Inse' which appears on the Papal Taxation List (1302-7) for the diocese of Ardfert (Cal Docs Ire, V, 297) may refer to a 13th century church here or to a foundation on the Great Blasket Island (KE051-002002-) (Hickson 1886, 488). It has also been suggested that the church called 'Baliederscolle' (987) in the taxation was located at Inch (Ó Conchir 1973, 70).
The present remains are those of a rubble-built church represented only by the W gable and its attached return along the S wall. The church measured 5.6m wide internally and the walls, which survive to a maximum height of 2.2m, are 1.05m in thickness. Two corbels which project from the inner face of the S wall may indicate that a loft or gallery existed at the W end of the church. No architectural features are preserved, but the head of a round-headed window, discovered in the interior, indicates a light of similar width to the E window at Kilshannig (KE027-002001-).
In the graveyard which surrounds the church is a perforated sandstone block, .3m wide, carved on 4 sides with a roll moulding flanked by filleted keel moulding at the angles. It may have formed part of a font associated with the 13th century church.
The site lies c. 1km from the seashore on the S side of the peninsula.

The above description is derived from J. Cuppage, ‘Corca Dhuibhne. Dingle Peninsula archaeological survey. Ballyferriter. Oidhreacht Chorca Dhuibhne’ (1986), no. 985. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research.

Date of upload: 8 August 2013