Hospital

The National Monuments Service's description

There was a hospital, or hostel for pilgrims, serving Fenagh in the 13th century (Gwynn and Hadcock 1970, 36). In 1244, while the coarb was absent, Feidhlim O’Concobhair raided Fenagh, and the foster son of the coarb was accidently killed at the roofless church there. As compensation the coarb demanded the death of Magnus, the son of Muirchertach Muimhnech, one of the raiding party. The raiders fled but the coarb pursued them to the hospital house of St John the Baptist at Ath-na-cuirre on the River Geirctech, now the Yellow River and the Ballinamore and Ballyconnell canal. The river was in flood, but as the raiders were pulling down the hospital roof to make a raft a beam fell and killed Magnus. Thus was the eric (honour price) paid. Magnus was buried outside the door of the church of Fenagh and a fine monument built over the grave, but it was afterwards destroyed by the O’Rourkes ‘through hostility’ (ALC). The location of Ath-na-cuirre and the site of the hospital is not known, but it was within a day’s journey of the churches at Fenagh.

Compiled by: Michael Moore

Date of upload: 10 July, 2017

References

Gwynn, A. and Hadcock, R.N. 1970 (Reprint 1988) Medieval religious houses of Ireland. Dublin. Irish Academic Press.

ALC - The Annals of Lough Cé: a chronicle of Irish affairs, 1014-1690, ed. W.M. Hennessy (2 vols., London, 1871; reflex facsimile, Irish Manuscripts Commission, Dublin, 1939)