Architectural feature

The National Monuments Service's description

From the church of the Augustinian abbey of Fertagh (KK008-047001-) located c. 3.5km to the NNE. The W doorway (KK008-153----) was removed in 1799 and reconstructed in the C of I church in Johnstown (Carrigan 1905, vol. 2, 294). The date '1799' is incised in a horizontal slab immediately above the carved doorway and beneath the horizontal hood-moulding. The W pointed doorway (H 1.9m; Wth 0.97m) has a moulded limestone surround, with vine leaves springing forth from the outer edge of the moulding, and birds eating grapes on the vine. There are crocket pinnacles rising from either side of the doorway, framing the vine leaf carvings. The carvings are similar to those on a doorway in the Augustian Priory of St. Mary's on Devenish Island, Co. Fermanagh which Leask (1960, Reprint 1985, vol. 3, 77) dates stylistically to the third quarter of the 15th century (Foley and McHugh 2014, 885-7). There is a fragment of a similarly carved doorway at Ballygriffin church (TS060-049001-), Co. Tipperary. The E window (KK008-153001-) in the C of I church is also from Fertagh.

Compiled by: Jean Farrelly

Date of upload: 25 July 2018

References

Leask, H.G. 1960 (Reprint 1971, 1978 and 1985) Irish churches and monastic buildings, vol. III. Medieval gothic the last phases. Dundalk. Dundalgan Press.

Carrigan, Rev. W. 1905 (Reprint 1981) The history and antiquities of the diocese of Ossory, 4 vols. Kilkenny. Roberts Books and Wellbrook Press.

Foley, C. and McHugh, R. 2014 The Archaeological Survey of County Fermanagh. Belfast. Northern Ireland Environment Agency