Church

The National Monuments Service's description

Church building known as Drumassell Chapel depicted in 'Knockdrumashell' (Cnoc Droma Asail) on the 1657 Down Survey map of Pubblebrian barony, where it is shown standing beside a tower house type castle (LI021-139----) in the vicinity of Tory Hill House (NLI, MS 718). Westropp (1904-5, 383-4) recorded the following details on Drumassell or Tory Hill; 'Dromassell, or Tory Hill. There were two forts here in 902, Maghnasail, and Asail (Book of Rights). Juliana Fitzgerald and Henry Berkeley claimed land at Drumassell, 1289 and 1311 (Plea R. 14 of xviii Ed. I., and v Ed. IL); Capella de Drumassyll, spect ad Cromothe, 1418, being given separate from Kileenoghty, with which Reeves, however, identifies it. Cnockgromassill, 1584 (O'Brien's Inq.). The castle and chapel stood in repair to the south-west of Cnockgromassell, 1657 (D.S. (A) 21, (B) 24). Fabric - I found what seemed a rude and featureless oblong ivied church there in 1876 and 1881, but made no notes or sketches; it is not marked on the O. S. maps of 1840 and 1900'.
Outline of rectangular church standing adjacent to driveway of Tory Hill House located 175m to W visible on Digital Globe aerial photographs. No evidence of any burial ground or churchyard.

Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien

Date of upload: 02 January 2019

References

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.