Ecclesiastical enclosure

The National Monuments Service's description

Medieval church of Cill Fhíonnachta / church of Fíonnachta, anglicised Killeenoghty (LI022-057001-) 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. 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).
Present remains consist of a large oval-shaped area (approx. dims. 154m NNE-SSW x 100m E-W) enclosed by a well preserved earthen bank clearly visible on Digital Globe aerial photographs. Traces of a possible inner enclosing element may be visible as a curving field boundary running N off NE angle of graveyard wall.

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.

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.