Church

The National Monuments Service's description

Reference to a church site (L c. 14.4m) associated with St Nicholas. Only the foundations survived in the early 1900s, with further building foundations around it. Tradition of a monastery here. No grave-markers were visible in the graveyard (LA027-030003-) which had been disused for a long period of time (Carrigan 1905, vol. 2, 66). No visible surface remains.
Described by Carrigan as 'It is now called Eglish, but it was formerly known as Eglish-Nichole. ie., Ecclesia Sancti Nicholai, or Church of St. Nicholas. It was, several centuries ago, a parish church, and its parish is mentioned as 'Rectoria de Templenicholl', in a Taxation of the Diocese made in 1537. In the Vetus Ordo Visitationis Episcoplais in Dioec. Oss. It is mentioned as the 'Capellania in Rectoria de Kildermoy', which shows it had, in the course of time, lost its parochial status and become a dependent of the Church of Kylermugh. Of the church or chapel only the foundations now appear. They show it to have been about 48 feet long. Tradition affirms that a very ancient monastery stood here, and that many of the monks suffered death at the hands of some ruthless invaders (probably the Danes). All around the church are remains of foundations, & c., covering three-quarters of an Irish acre. The graveyard has been unused for so very long a period that no graves or grave-stones, are now visible.' (Carrigan 1905, vol. 2, 66).

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.

Date of upload: 17 December 2007