Church

The National Monuments Service's description

Westropp (1904-5, 399) recorded the following about Kilbradran Church; 'Kilbradran, restored by Athissell, 1253 (B.B.L., p. 84); Kylbraderan, 1291; Kylbradrain, or Knockbraderain, dedicated to St. Brandon, the abbot, 14th May, 1410. Kilbraderan, out of repair, 1615 b.; Kilbroderan, 1633. David Nangill, vicar, 1551 (Fiant, 825). Kilwarderan, leased to B. Cusack,
1551 (Ib. 744). The Saint is locally "Bradan," or "Bradran," not Brandan.
Fabric - The south wall of the choir stood in 1840, but is now nearly levelled. Nave, 35 feet [10.6m] by 17 feet 8 inches [5.4m]; choir arch defaced: it was pointed; plain south window; the walls, 14 feet [4.25m] by 2½ feet [0.8m] (O.S.L., 8, p. 20, O'Keeffe). On the low hill beside the church is a remarkable caher, with earthworks (described Proc. R.I.A., vol. xxiv. (C), p. 275,).
Church described in 1840 as following; 'The old church of this parish originally consisted of a nave and choir. Of the latter only a small portion of the south wall remains. The nave, of which the walls are perfect, is thirty five and a half feet long by seventeen feet eight inches. The choir arch is entirely disfigured. On the south side wall, at the distance of two feet [0.6m] from the middle (now the east) gable, is a square window formed on both sides of coarse stones; it is five feet [1.5m] high by four feet [1.2m] on the inside; two feet eleven inches [0.9m] in height, five and a half inches [1.6m] in width at the top and nine inches [0.22m] at the bottom of the outside. On this wall at the distance of nine feet [2.7m] from the west gable was the doorway, which is at present much disfigured. The west gable and north wall are featureless. The walls of this church are about fourteen feet high [4.25m], two and a half feet [0.8m] in thickness and built of large stones, not quarried, irregularly laid with lime and sand mortar. It is situated in a large graveyard much in use' (OSL, 8-9).

Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien

Date of upload: 20 November 2018

See attached ASI aerial photograph ASIAP – taken on 04/03/2006.

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.

ASIAP - Archaeological Survey of Ireland Aerial Photographs (c. 1996 - c. 2010).