Church

The National Monuments Service's description

Church of Ireland church built on site of medieval church of Rathronan. In 1840 the Ordnance Survey Letters recorded that the 'ancient Church of Rathronan has long since disappeared and its site is occupied by a modern Protestant Church which was erected about fourteen years ago [c. 1826]; but the original Church did not survive to this period, for the one which was then pulled down was not many half centuries old. There is a large graveyard attached to the modern church, but not much used at present as a cemetery' (OSL, 25).
Westropp (1904-5, 403) recorded the following details on Rathronan; ‘Parish in Shanid, Connello, and Glenquin; church in Connello. In 1260 was a suit between Lismore and Cashel as to Ruthronan and other churches in Limerick ("Cal. Papal Letters," i., p. 370); Chapel of Maurice, 1291, 1302; Rathrunan, 1410; Capella Mauricii, alias Rathronan, 1418; Rathronan, 1452 (rental) ; Rharona, 1615 b. To the rectory of Rathronan belongs the chapel of Mount Temple (Athlea), 1645. Site The modern I. C. church was built on the old site, 1827 (Lewis, ii., p. 508). '
Present Ardagh Church of Ireland church ruins described by the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage as a 'Freestanding Board of First Fruits Church of Ireland church, built 1825, comprising four-stage square-profile tower adjoining east elevation of gabled three-bay double-height nave' (www.buildingsofireland.ie; Reg. No. 21902804)

Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien

Date of upload: 08 January 2019

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

References

Lewis, S. 1837 A topographical dictionary of Ireland, 2 vols. London. Lewis and Co.

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

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.