Church

The National Monuments Service's description

Situated on elevated ground immediately S of a road in rolling pasture with good views in all directions. Tuogh Castle (LI015-079----) stands 610m to the SSW. The land falls away naturally to the E and SE. Ruins of the medieval Tuogh Church stands in centre of graveyard (LI015-031002-). Tuogh Church was also known as Tuath Aosa Ghréine or the territory of Aos Ghréine (Seymour 1907, 369). In 1437 the Vicarage of Tuogh was valued at 1s ¾d (ibid.). In 1621 the rectory of Tuoghgreny was valued at 15s. (ibid.).
Westropp (1904-5, 438) recorded the following about Tuogh 'A parish. The Manor and Castle of Toghe, ex Grene [territory of Aos Ghréine], which had been lately taken from robbers called "the Oolde children," were granted to Thady MacBrian, of Grene Ogonagh, 1544 (Fiant, 453). Tohe Ishegrene Rectory, 1553 (Inquis.); Twogh, 1655 (Petty No. 66; D.S. (A), 30). It was united to Abingdon [Abington], 1776. Fabric - The east gable, 18 feet [5.5m] wide, and 26 feet [8m] of the sides, stood in 1840. The walls, 12 feet [3.65m] by 3 feet [0.9m]. The east window had two pointed lights, but the shaft was gone. A side wing ran south from the gable, and had a similar window (O.S.L., 8, p. 447). Well of Toberbreedia [LI015-029----]'. Medieval parish church ruins depicted on the Down Survey map of Tuogh parish (NLI, MS 718). On this map the church is shown standing to the NE of Toigh Castle (LI015-079----)
Church ruins described in 1840 as following; 'The east gable and twenty six feet [7.9m] in length of the south wall joined to it are the only remains of the old Church of this Parish. The foundation of the rest of the building is not traceable. Its breadth is eighteen feet [5.5m]; the side wall is about twelve feet [3.65m] high. On the gable is a window which on the inside is stopped up with a flag stone placed over a grave. On the outside it, was divided into two compartments, each having a curvilineally pointed top. The mullion that divided it has been removed. The whole window measures on this side three feet eight inches [1.1m] in height by one foot three and a half inches [0.4m] in breadth, each compartment measuring six inches [0.15m] in breadth. It is constructed of chiselled lime stone.
There is a small building attached to the south side of this ruin, which is on a line with the east gable and runs southwards. It is closed up as a burial place and measures on the outside thirty feet [9.1m] by seventeen feet eight inches [5.4m]. The entrance, which is on the south wall, is modern brickwork and has an iron gate placed in it. A window faces the east on this structure, of the same form with the one just described and constructed of the same kind of stone similarly dressed and in the same condition with it. The side walls are about ten feet [3m] high and three feet [0.9m] thick. The materials are large and small field limestones and cement of lime and sand mortar. This appears to be coeval with the Church whose ruins have been just now described, the brickwork in it above mentioned, being alone excepted. Here is a large grave yard much in use which is enclosed by a wall of mason work' (OSL).

Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien

Date of upload: 31 October 2018

References

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.

NLI, MS 718 - National Library of Ireland, Parish maps with terriers, showing forfeited lands in County Limerick, commonly known as the "Down Survey", executed under the direction of Sir William Petty, 1657, and copied by Daniel O'Brien, 1786.

Seymour, Rev. St. J. 1907 Abbey Owney, County Limerick. Journal of the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland 37, 165-80, 360-73.