Church

The National Monuments Service's description

In NE quadrant of graveyard (LI009-005002-). Only E gable (int. L 4.4m) and short returns of S (int. L 5.75m) and N (int. L 2.2m) walls now stand; these have recently been re-pointed with concrete and partially rebuilt. Featureless opening in centre of E gable probably position of original window; no other indication of door or window opes. A low wall has recently been built c. 3.2m out from E and N walls, and space between both walls filled with rubble stone. Church described in 1840 as having 'all its features destroyed' but consisted of nave and chancel but missing W end of nave and chancel arch (OSL vol. 1, 160-1). Formerly parish church of Loghill; the church here was destroyed in 1302 (Westropp 1904-5, 397), so it is likely that surviving structure is 15th/16th century in date.
Church ruins described in 1840 as following; 'It was divided into nave and choir but both are nearly destroyed, only fragments of the east and middle gables, and 13 ft. [3.96m] of the south wall of the nave remaining. The length of the nave cannot be ascertained but its breadth was 15 feet [4.57m] the choir arch is all destroyed. The choir is 7 ft. 10 in. [2.38m] from west to east and 9 ft. 8 in. [2.94m] from north to south, but no window or fragment of one is observable on it. The fragment remaining of the south wall is 8 feet [2.43m] high and 3 feet [0.91m] thick and built of large long stones cemented with lime and sand mortar. About 100 yards to the north of this church there is a holy well called St. Colmog's well which is still venerated for the cure of sore eyes' (OSL Vol. 1, 160-1).
Described in 1906 as following; '(Leamh choill elm wood) now Loughill. This is the remains of a primitive Irish church, divided into nave and choir, and was built of large long stones with lime
and sand mortar. About 100 yards to the north of the church is a well dedicated to St. Colmog. The parish of Loughill was one of the bishop's manors' (Begley 1906, 110).
Westropp recorded the following details about Loghill Church; 'Lemchaell, 1201; quit claim of
John de Penris to Laukyll, 1274 (B.B.L., xlvi); Boger Waspayl granted to John Maltravers the manors of Radghel and Kilcoleman, and Lochkyl, 1280 (Feet of Fines, Ed. L, No. 97, C.S.P.I., vol. ii., 1778). Lauwhull church destroyed in war, 1302; Leamkaill, 1336 and 1418; Loughill, 1615 a; Laughill, 1657 (D.S.(B.) 14). George Crofts grants Loghill to Mountiford Westropp, 1670 (Atkins Davis MSS., Ulster's Office, i., p. 108). The name means 'elm wood,' or perhaps 'marshmallow place' (see Joyce, "Irish Names," ii., p. 32). Fabric - An early church on the brink of a valley. Choir, 7 feet 10 inches [2.4m] by 9 feet 8 inches [2.95m]. Nave, 15 feet [4.57m] wide. Only fragments of east end, choir, arch, and south wall remain; the latter 8 feet [2.43m] by 3 feet [0.91m], of large stones. St. Colman's Well [LI009-004----] to the north is good for sore eyes' (Westropp 1904-5, 397).

See attached Down Survey Barony map of Connello showing church ruins (Hib. Reg.).

Compiled by: Denis Power

Revised by: Caimin O'Brien

Date of revised upload: 3 October 2018

References

Begley, J. 1906 The Diocese of Limerick ancient and medieval. Dublin.

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.

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

Hibernia Regnum: A set of 214 barony maps of Ireland dating to the period AD 1655-59. The original parish maps have been lost but the Hibernia Regnum maps are preserved in the Bibliotheque Nationale, Paris (Goblet 1932, v-x). Photographic facsimiles of these maps were published by the Ordnance Survey, Southampton in 1908.