Sites and Monuments Record · Ireland
Church
Kilfergus, County Limerick, Ireland
The record
- Townland
- Kilfergus
- County
- Limerick
- Country
- Ireland
- First-edition OS map
- Kilfergus Church (in ruins)
- Latest-edition OS map
- Kilfergus Ch. (in Ruins) (1923)
- Coordinates
- 52.56696, -9.26986
- SMR number
- LI018-001001-
Slide toward Today to fade the historical sheet and see the modern map underneath.
David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries
Shown on 4 historical map sheets, the earliest the 1753 "Mappa geographica Regni Hiberniae" (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries).
This record in the National Monuments Service's Historic Environment Viewer ↗
The National Monuments Service's description
North-of-centre in Kilfergus graveyard (LI018-001002-). Only E gable (ext. L 8.65m) and section of S (L 10.5m) and N (L 4m) walls now stand; these recently re-pointed with concrete. Central window in E wall has single lintelled light and splayed embrasure covered by segmental arch. Similar window near E end of S wall. In 1840 described as 'forty two feet [12.8m] in length' when 'west gable and north wall ... down to the foundations' (OSLB vol. 1, 43-4); at this time part of the doorway in the south wall was discernable 'nine feet [2.7m] from the west gable, but its top is totally destroyed ... but three feet [0.9m] of the height of its sides remain from which it appears that it was rudely constructed of un-hammered stones' (ibid).
Westropp (1904-5, 397) gives the following details on Kilfergus; 'A parish in Shanid; the church is detached in Loghill: Killergussa, 1201; O'Fergus church, in O'Conyll, granted to the See by Adam Keyting, 1223 (B.B.L., xxxii.). Bishop Robert grants Kilmurry and Kilfergus to John le Persoun, 1254 (Ib., xix.), John Brathnach grants them to the See, 1296 (lb., Ivi). Kilfeargussa, 1418 ; Kilfarasye, 1586 (Peyton, p. 227) ; Kilfergussagh, 1615a. Fabric - It stands near Glin, and is 42 feet [12.8m] by 22 feet [6.7m]; west and north walls are down; east window has a flat arch of flags inside, and has a rectangular light with inclined jambs. The south wall has a rectangular window and a defaced door of rude, hammered stones. Walls, 12 feet [3.65m] high by 3 feet [0.9m], of small stones (O.S.L. 9, 147)'.
Compiled by: Denis Power
Revised by: Caimin O'Brien
Date of revised 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.
Nearby in the register
- Graveyardunder 1 mi
- Ringfort - rathunder 1 mi
- Enclosureunder 1 mi
- Ringfort - rathunder 1 mi
Other entries of the same register within about three miles of this one, by straight line.