Church

The National Monuments Service's description

Medieval church of Cill Fhíonnachta / church of Fíonnachta, anglicised Killeenoghty stood in the centre of a rectangular-shaped graveyard (LI022-057002-) both of which lie in the S quadrant of a large oval-shaped ecclesiastical enclosure (LI022-057003-). Described in 1840 as 'Teampal na Sgeach is a local name signifying, "the church of the whitethorn bushes". It received this name because several large white thorn bushes stand here. These ruins are about 46 feet [14m] long and about 20 feet [6m] broad. The walls are razed to the ground. There is a small graveyard around them' (OSNB, 1085). The Ordnance Survey letters recorded that the name of this parish is in 'Irish Cill Fhionachta which signifies the Cell or Church of Fionachta [Fionshneachta], who is believed to have been a Saint' (OSL, 148).
Westropp (1904-5, 381) recorded the following details on Killeenoghty; ‘Parish in Pubblebrian. Kyllanatan, 1201; Killanajan, Keilinoghtan, or Keilnaghan, separate from Killonaghan, 1410; "Ec. de Killynatan vendicabatur perprebendarium de Kylbekan sed fuit in man. Epi.," 1418; Kyllynoghtie, 1584 (O'Brien's Inq.); Killentaten, 1615 b.; Killinaten "mearing with
Knockdrowmessill" (Petty, 69; D.S. (B) 21; Civil Survey, p. 5). Cillpionpneacca Called
Teampull na Sceac, or "Church of the Bushes," 1840. Site - The foundations measured 46 feet [14m] by 20 feet [6m]; no other trace was found in 1840 (O.S.L. 14, E. 8, p. 381).
Outline of church visible today on Digital Globe aerial photographs.

Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien

Date of upload: 03 January 2019

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.

OSNB - Ordnance Survey Name Books. Pro-forma books arranged by Civil Parish for recording townland and other name-forms and compiled in the course of the OS 6-inch survey 1824-1841. The name books also include minor names and incidental references to antiquities. National Archives of Ireland.