Church

The National Monuments Service's description

Ruins of medieval church also known as the Chapel of Say in the parish of Croom, stands on the N bank of the River Maigue overlooking a fording point and fishing weir. On the demesne lands of Caherass Court, 300m to W, mill race to S with Old Mill (LI021-113----) 435m to NE. According to Fitzgerald (1826, 332) this church was once a chapel of ease belonging to the Carbery family on whose land the chapel stood. Westropp (1904-5, 384) recorded the following details on Caherass; ‘ About 1251 John Flandrens made quit claim to Dysert Enegus, and Cathyrasse [Caherass], and in 1256 Bishop Robert leased the latter, with its fishery, also in 1272 (B.B.L., No. xlvii., lxi.); Chapel of Say, alias Cathiorassa, 1410; Cap. Say, in rect. de Cromoth, 1418; Carassie, 1601; Capella Say, 1615 b. Reeves, however, identifies it with Dunkepchy. The chapel was closed after its desecration by the suicide in it of its chaplain (Fitzgerald, i., p. 332). Fabric - The ivied walls stand on the bank of the Maigue, thickly overgrown'.

Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien

Date of upload: 31 December 2018

References

Fitzgerald, P. and McGregor, J.J. 1826 The history, topography and antiquities of the county and city of Limerick. Dublin.

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