Church

The National Monuments Service's description

Situated towards the bottom of a N-facing slope with the W-E River Nanny c. 430m to the N. In a cartulary dated 1381 of St. Michael’s, which was the Augustinian priory of Llanthony at Duleek (ME027-038011-), it is recorded that John Bellewyston had a chapel that had been built by his ancestors (Brooks 1953, 144). Sir Walter Bedlowe of Bedlowestown leased land for 60 shillings from the priory in 1540 (White 1943, 314). According to the Civil Survey (1654-6) Sir Christopher Bellew, an Irish papist, had 1184 acres at Bellewstowne where there was a castle, outhouses and a tuck mill (Simington 1940, 18). Within Duleek parish alone he also owned 60 acres at Redmountain, 35 acres at Hilltown Little, 80 acres at Fascagh (part of Hilltown Little), 80 at Ballipatch (now Thomastown), and 40 at Rahill (ibid. 15-23). The church was an estate church and is not recorded in the visitations of Ussher (1622) (Erlington 1847-64, 1, lxi-lxviii) or Dopping (1682-5) (Ellision 1971, 33-7) amongst the churches of Duleek deanery.
The church is an undivided nave and chancel structure (ext. dims 14.35m E-W; 6m N-S), probably of late 13th century or early 14th century date (O'Neill 2002, 17). Tracery has been removed from the E and W windows. There were doorways in old red sandstone towards the W end of the N and S walls, but only that on the S remains. There is a single belcote over the W gable, and rectangular windows have been inserted into the N and S walls.

The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Meath' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1987). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research.

Compiled by: Michael Moore

Date of revision: 22 December, 2014

References

Simington, R.C. (ed.) 1940 The Civil survey, AD 1654-1656. Vol. V: county of Meath. Dublin. Irish Manuscripts Commission.

White, N.B. 1943 Extents of Irish monastic possessions, 1540-1541. Dublin. Irish Manuscripts Commission.

Ellison, Rev. C. C. 1971-5 Bishop Dopping's Visitation Book 1682-5, Ríocht na Mídhe, 5, 1, 28-39; 5, 2, 3-13; 5, 3, 3-11; 5, 4, 98-103; 6, 1, 3-13.

Brooks, E. St. John 1953 14th century monastic estates in Meath: the Llanthony cells of Duleek and Colp. Journal of the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland, 83, 140-49.

Erlington, C. R. (ed.) 1847-64 The whole works of the most Reverend James Ussher. 17 vols. Hodges and Smith, Dublin

O'Neill, M. 2002 The medieval parish churches in County Meath. Journal of the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland, 132, 1-56.