Church

The National Monuments Service's description

Within a graveyard (LF017-013004-) that is centrally located within an ecclesiastical enclosure (LF017-013003-). In late medieval times this was the parish church of Rathcline. In 1406 Charles Macarmayc was appointed to the perpetual vicarage of Rathcline (Cal. papal letters 1904, vol. 6, 86) and in 1552 it was leased to Richard Nugent, Baron of Delvin (Nicholls 1994, vol. 1, 199). The church (ext. dims. 17.1m E-W; 8.55m N-S; wall T 0.85m) is constructed of limestone rubble with alternating long and short quoins. A base-batter is evident along the E gable and E end of the N wall is buttressed. The partially destroyed pointed arch doorway is at the W end of the S wall. Only one of the arch stones survives. Its lower jamb stones are chamfered and punch dressed. The central window in the E gable has recently been considerably altered and rebuilt. Remains of opposing windows and aumbries are evident at the E end of the N and S walls. An ogee-headed, single-light window with punch-dressed jambs of 15th-/16th-century date is visible at first-floor level in the W gable, suggesting the former presence of priest’s quarters or a gallery at this end of the church. A sheela-na-gig (LF017-013002-) is carved in relief on the external face of the N jamb of the window. The internal face of this wall is rendered obscuring any joist holes. A large buttress or burial vault is built against the W end of the S wall and a wall memorial has been inserted into the E face of this structure. The floor level of the interior of the church has recently been lowered and covered with stone. Three graveslabs are standing against the N wall. Two of them date from the 18th century and the third (LF017-013005-) is dated 1696. (ITA Survey 1944; Cahill 1984, 184-5; Moore 2007, No. 15)

Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien

Date of upload: 4 June 2013

References

Moore, S. 2007 Archaeological monuments in County Longford. Longford. Longford County Council.