Church

The National Monuments Service's description

Shown on the 1563 Map of Leix and Offaly (Hore 1863, f.p. 345) and on the 1665 estate map of Wright and Wilson. Reference to an early ecclesiastical building here, possibly founded by the O'Moore family (O'Hanlon and O'Leary 1907, vol. 1, 301-02). Remains of an eighteenth century church on the site. In 1846 the Parliamentary Gazetteer of Ireland recorded that, 'The monastic ruins (LA025-023001-/002-/003-/004-) of Rathasbuck [Rathaspick], the Bishop's fort [LA025-022----), on the estate of Sir William Grace, Bart., formerly presented an interesting object from the house of Gracefield. Its ivy-mantled walls, high belfry, and large eastern window, were conspicuous in the scenery at the distance of about half-a-mile to the north. From the materials of these ruins, the adjoining church of Rathasbuck parish has lately been erected, which, in common with most buildings of the kind in this country, wants the characteristic appendage of a comfortable vicarage-house. In the topographical collections of Sheffield Grace, Esq., F.S.A., a faithful representation of these very ancient remains, as they appeared previous to 1813, is preserved. Their Gothic simplicity, and apparent antiquity, with the broken outline of the Monastery walls, present a happy subject for the pencil. The monastery was apparently on a small and humble scale; and was probably only a cell' (Anon 1846, vol. 3, 117)'. Under the site of buildings connected with the former church (LA025-023001-), three vaulted chambers continued, until the year 1813, in perfect preservation, in one of which was a well (LA025-023003-) of remarkably fine spring water' (ibid.).
According to Comerford (1886, vol. 3, 132), the ivy-clad walls of the church, which had a high belfry and large E window, were pulled down to supply stone for the modern church erected nearby. He also mentions three vaults under the ruins of the church which were destroyed in 1813. Described in the History of the Queens County as 'At Present, however, there are no ruins of ancient eccleisastical buildings there; but, tradition has it, that an old church stood in the graveyard (LA025-023002-), where the present Protestant church has been erected' (O'Hanlon and O'Leary 1907, vol. 1, 301).

Anon (1846) The Parliamentary Gazetteer of Ireland, 1844-45. 3 Volumes. A. Fullarton and Co., Dublin, London, and Edinburgh.

The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Laois' (Dublin Stationery Office, 1995) compiled by P. David Sweetman, Olive Alcock and Bernie Moran. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research.

Compiled by Caimin O'Brien

Date of upload/revision: 16 January 2012