Ecclesiastical enclosure

The National Monuments Service's description

Located on high ground with extensive views of undulating countryside. Depicted as a rectangular church (OF002-030001-) standing in the centre of an oval-shaped shaped graveyard (OF002-030002-) on the 1838 ed. OS 6-inch map. On this map the curve of the public road immediately to the E and S of the graveyard probably follows the line of a possible Early Christian enclosure. The graveyard is enclosed by a post-medieval stone wall from S through E to NE only and elsewhere by a low earth and stone bank mainly reduced to a scarp with remains of an external fosse best visible on W side. This curving bank and external fosse visible at W may be the remains of an Early Christian ecclesiastical enclosure. The townland and parish name of Kilmanaghan [Cill Mhancháin] meaning church of Manchán, may be a reference to a possible monastic foundation associated with Saint Manchán of Lemanaghan (OF015-004003-) whose feastday is celebrated on 24th January (Ó Riain 2011, 429). Early Christian cross-inscribed slab (OF002-030003-) along with possible bullaun stone (OF002-030004-) found here during a clean up of the graveyard in 1971 (Fanning and Ó hÉailidhe 1980, 13).

The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Offaly' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1997). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research.

Compiled and revised by: Caimin O'Brien

Date of revision: 26 September 2014

References

Ó Riain, P. 2011 A dictionary of Irish Saints. Dublin. Four Courts Press.

Fanning, T. and Ó hÉailidhe, P. 1980 Some cross-inscribed slabs from the Irish Midlands. In H. Murtagh (ed.), Irish Midland studies: essays in commemoration of N.W. English, 5-23. Athlone. Old Athlone Society.