Church

The National Monuments Service's description

Near N end of graveyard (LI038-106002-). Roofless ivy-clad ruin of exceptionally long rectangular church (9.8m N-S; 38.5m E-W) built of roughly coursed sandstone; formerly parish church of Corcomohide (Westropp 1904-5, 416-7; Bradley et al. 1989, vol. 1, 99-100 & fig. 17). West end of church (L c. 9m) occupied by 18th/19th century burial vaults of Conyers family, now much ruined.
Entrance doorway in S wall of church, just E of area occupied by Conyers' vaults, is completely ruined but lying on ground beside it are two limestone arch-stones from door surround. There is another ruined doorway near E end of N wall which gave entry to sacristy. Short section of E wall (L 0.4m) is only part of sacristy now standing; this a continuation of E wall of church, showing both are of same build; sod-covered foundations (Wth c. 0.8m) continue a further 2m before returning to W for a further c. 2.7m. Two wall presses on outer face of N wall of church, were part of sacristy. Only N inside edge of original window in E wall survives; in its place is a simple slit window and a second window with a double light. There is similar window near E end of S wall, with a double-ogee headed light, with recessed spandrels. This is flanked by two much-ruined arched recesses; that to W is piscina as part f bowl with drainage hole survives. Curious feature of church are opposite rectangular thickening of side walls, 9.3m from E wall; these are interpreted by Bradley et al. (ibid.) as part of a collapsed chancel arch. Core of church probably 13th century, with windows and S door inserter in 15th/16th century.

See attached plan of church taken from the Urban Survey of Limerick

Compiled by: Denis Power

Date of upload: 26 August 2011

References

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

Bradley, J., Halpin, A., and King, H.A. 1989 Urban archaeological survey - county Limerick (3 vols.). Unpublished report commissioned by the Office of Public Works, Dublin.