Church

The National Monuments Service's description

Galbally Church described in the Urban Survey of Limerick as following; 'This very ruined and overgrown thirteenth century church is situated on high ground overlooking the modern village and the river Aherlow. It consists of a long narrow single aisled building of rubble sandstone with sandstone jambs. Later additions are in limestone and large sections of the church are rebuilt. The east gable is 6-7m high, the north and south walls are 3-4m high and 2m of the west gable remains to a height of 4m. The east gable is largely rebuilt and incorporates re-used jambs. Only one jamb remains in situ. There is a round arched opening towards the west end. The west wall is featureless. Under the east window a trapezoidal shaped block of sandstone has been inserted which is decorated with a figure in high relief. The features are very worn but it appears to be seated and holding something on its knee. Also set into the wall under the east window is a very worn sandstone block decorated with what is possibly a head. Window jambs, mullions, dressed stone and a column decorated with sugar barely twist are in use as gravemarkers in the graveyard. South of the south door is a small worn slab (Dims. H 0.4m X Wth 0.44m X T 0.05m) with the incised inscription: HERE LYETH THE BODY OF MARY ... HIS WIFE..' (Bradley et. al. 1989, 131-2).
Westropp (1904-5, 452) recorded the following details about Galbally also known as Aherlow Church; 'The church of Natherlagh, Galbally (alias Aherloe), with the chapel for the rector, 1291. The town of Galbally, "consisting of the walls of a very fine house or castle [LI049-086004-], lately well fortified, a grist mill and a tucking mill [LI049-086008-] upon the river Aharloe, and a few Irish cabins," 1657 (D.S. (A), 52, explanation).
Fabric - The church is unusually long for its width, 136 feet [41.45m] by 25 feet 9 inches [7.85m]; the east window had a double trefoil-headed light, and flat splay arch. There are three rude and late south windows, and a door. The walls, 18 feet [max. H. 5.5m] by 4 feet [1.2m]. All of the latest fifteenth century (O.S.L., 9, p. 212).

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

Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien

Date of upload: 26 June 2019

References

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 Unpublished report commissioned by the Office of Public Works, Dublin.

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.