Church

The National Monuments Service's description

In centre of enclosure (LI030-085001-) no visible surface trace of rectangular structure, named 'Abbey (in ruins)' on 1840 OS 6-inch map. This building was described in 1840 as a ruined rectangular church (17.46m E-W; 5.7m N-S) with walls standing to full height but entirely missing its W gable. It had a single-light window in E gable, a window with a round-headed light and arched embrasure near E end of N wall and an opposite much-ruined window ope in S wall. There was also a much ruined door ope in S wall (OSL vol. 2, 25-6). There was also 'two ambreys in the east, one to each side of the window' (Westropp 1904-5, 410). According to Molony (1905, 261) this building was demolished c. 1880 when the rubble, with that of another building, were used 'for filling up the circular ditch' of the enclosing 'fort'. There was a church at 'Kylmecho' by at least 1319 (Westropp ibid.), however, apart from the round-headed window which might date to that time, the church described above could as easily be 15th century in date.

Compiled by: Denis Power

Date of upload: 26 August 2011

References

Molony, H. 1905 Ancient Churches and Topography of Ballingarry Parish, County Limerick. Journal of the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland 35, 255-63.

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

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.