Church

The National Monuments Service's description

Situated on low rise of ground with Killeengarriff River 20m to S, farmyard immediately to W. Ruins of small medieval church forms N boundary of rectangular shaped graveyard. The church is now missing its W belfry but otherwise is much in the same condition as when it was described by the Ordnance Survey in 1840.
Killeenagarriff Church was described in 1840 as following; ‘The old church of this name is 36 ft. 6 in. [11.12m] in length and 22 ft. 6 in. [6.85m] in breadth, and its walls are in tolerable preservation except the east gable which is destroyed except a small portion (of 5 ft. [1.5m]) attached to the north wall. There is a doorway on the south wall touching the west gable; it is 6 ft. 8 in. [2m] high and 4 ft. [1.2m] wide on the inside where it is arched at top, and 5 ft. 9 in. [1.75m] high and 2 ft. 11 in. [0.89m] wide; on the outside where it is pointed at top, and constructed of cut limestone, but its west side is a good deal injured. At the distance of 6 feet [0.6m] from the east gable the south wall contains a window which is square on the inside and measures 3 ft. 6 in. [1.06m] by 3 ft. 4 in. [1.01m]. It is constructed of chiselled red stone which presents an ancient aspect, but on the outside (where it is 5 ft. 6 in. [1.67m] from the present level of the ground) it is pointed and constructed of cut limestone. On this side it is only 2 ft. 11 in. [0.89m] in height and 6½ inches in width. The west gable has a small belfry of the annexed form constructed of cut limestone. It has also a small window placed at the height of 14 feet [4.26m] from the ground and measuring on the inside about 3 ft. 6 in. [1.06m] in height and only 7 inches [0.17m] in width. It is of this annexed and constructed of chiselled limestone. The north wall contains a doorway placed directly opposite the one in the south wall, but now built up with mason work. This is constructed of chiselled limestone and quadrangular inside and outside. On the inside where the gable forms one side of it the height is 5 ft. 8 in. [1.72m] and the breadth 2 ft. 8 in. [0.81m], and on the outside the height is 4 ft. 11 in. [1.5m] and the breadth only 1 ft. 10 in. [0.55m]. The lintel is a thin limestone flag inside and outside. At the distance of 18 ft. 9 in. [5.71m] from this doorway there is a quadrangular window measuring on the inside 3 ft. 6in. [1.06m] in height and 2 ft. 8 in. [0.81m] in width, and on the outside 2 ft. 0 in. [0.6m] in height and only 4 inches [0.1m] in width. On the inside it is constructed of brown stone and on the outside of chiselled limestone. The walls of this church are about 16 ft. [4.87m] in height of which 4 ft. [1.21m] is a parapet and 3 ft. [0.91m] in thickness & constructed of small and large stones cemented with lime and sand mortar. This church has a small graveyard attached. It is situated on the north bank of the River Annacotty which is here called Killenagarriff River‘ (OSL Vol. 1, 25-6).
Westropp (1904-5, 436) gives the following details about Killeenagariff Church; ‘A parish. Kilmacconarva, 1201; Kilmaccongarub, 1302; Johan, widow of J. de Burgo, claimed a messuage, lands and woods in Kilmachegarf Sym., 1311 (Plea B., Beliq. Beport, p. 63); Killenegarve, 1633; Killicknegarruff, 1657; Kilnegarruf (Map, D.S. (A), 3,16; Petty, 65, 66). It is there shown as roofed. Killgarruffe and Clonkeen granted to S. Molyneux, Oct., 1666 (Act Sett.); O'Donovan renders it Cillinnangarbh, but it is evidently called after a founder "Maccon Garbh".
Fabric - It stands on a little stream. It is 36½ feet [11m] by 22½ feet [6.8m]. The east end fell before 1840. South window, with trefoil-headed light and oblong splay; it is of grit-stone inside, and limestone outside. The west end has a round-headed light and a bell-chamber, with an ogee-head cut in one stone. The walls, 16 feet [4.87m] by 3 feet [0.9m]. It is a fifteenth-century building (O.S.L., 9, p. 25, and sketch No. 15).

Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien

Date of upload: 1 October 2018

References

Westropp, T.J. 1904-5 A survey of the ancient churches of Co. Limerick. Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy 25C, 327-479.

OSL - Ordnance Survey Letters. Letters written by members of the Ordnance Survey's 'Topographical Department' (T. O'Conor, A. O'Curry, E. Curry, J. O'Donovan and P. O'Keeffe) sent to headquarters from the field (1834-41). MSS in Royal Irish Academy.