Church

The National Monuments Service's description

North-of-centre in graveyard (LI034-004002-) with holy well known locally as Tobermurry(LI034-005----) 70m to N. Roofless ivy-clad ruin of rectangular church (int.: 18.9m E-W; 7.4m N-S). Entered through re-built doorway near W end of S wall; inserted doorway near E end of N wall. Interior lit by central window in E wall and similar window near E end of S wall; both have single ogee-headed light and splayed embrasure. Interior filled with burial plots with numerous headstones, the earliest noted dated 1796.
In 1838 the Ordnance Survey described the site as following; 'In the townland of Teampul a tSleibhe (Templeatlea) are the ruins of a Church in a large burial ground, but all of its features are destroyed' (OSL Rathronan Parish, 26).
Westropp recorded the following details about Temple Athlea or Athea; 'Mount Temple belongs to Rathrunan," 1410; "In Ardacha, Ecclesia Donergismathmore, alias Eaglas Montin," 1418; Temple Clea on Le Granogh, or Slelogher, in Rathronan, in Tog Meaghan, 1586 (Peyton, p. 120). A separate parish, Athee, Athdee, or Temple Clee (lb., p. 170). It may be the chapel "de Monte Maledictionis," 1302, as there is some legend of a curse of St. Patrick at Athlea. Teampull Atsleibhe, locally, Atlea or Athlea, the church of the mountain.' Fabric - All its features
were defaced before 1840 (O.S.L. 9, p. 74).

Compiled by: Denis Power

Revised by: Caimin O'Brien

Date of revised upload: 20 May 2019

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

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.

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