Church

The National Monuments Service's description

Monastery was founded here by St. Maedoc of Ferns who died in 625 AD (Gwynn and Hadcock 1970, 376). St. Patrick's Well (LI037-025006-) located c. 30m to SE, and sites of two holy wells to S of ecclesiastical enclosure (LI037-025004-): Lady's Well (LI037-025004-) c. 10m to SSW; and Sunday's Well (LI037-025005-) c. 50m to SSW.
North-of-centre in graveyard (LI037-025002-) both of which are situated in the centre of an early Christian ecclesiastical enclosure (LI037-025003-). Fragmentary remains of church nave (int.: 9.17m E-W; 5.07m N-S), built of rubble sandstone. Only N and W walls now stand, with short returns of inside of E (L 0.9m) and S (L 0.3m) walls; in 1840 its 'choir is entirely destroyed ... except a very small fragment near the south west corner ... the choir arch is much injured in its sides, but its semicircular head remains' (OSL vol. 1, 51). There is now no trace left of this chancel (choir). The west gable stands to full height but is squared-off at the top; in 1840 it had a 'little belfry' (bellcote), which was 'nearly down', and a 'semi-cyclopean doorway, which is now reduced to a formless breach' (ibid.). This wall was recently repaired and the doorway rebuilt (in 1984-5); the quality of this work is poor and already deteriorating. Built into the inside face of the wall is a stone (0.3m x 0.6m) with a circular perforation (diam. 0.1m) near one end.
Built up against the inside of the N wall is a burial tomb; opposite it on the outside face of the N wall is a plaque dedicated to the Sullivan family with dated of death ranging from 1682 to 1716 (latter date part of additional inscription) (OSL vol. 1, 52). Two stone fragments in graveyard, acting as gravemarkers, probably came from church.
Remains of parish church of Cloncagh (Westropp 1904-5, 413); form of chancel arch suggests a possible 12th/early 13th century date for chancel, though a 'cyclopean' W door might date the nave to slightly earlier.

Compiled by: Denis Power

Date of upload: 26 August 2011

References

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.

Gwynn, A. and Hadcock, R.N. 1970 (Reprint 1988) Medieval religious houses of Ireland. Dublin. Irish Academic Press.