Building

The National Monuments Service's description

A monastery at Lemanaghan (Liath Manchán) was founded in the 7th century by Manchán whose feastday is celebrated on the 24th of January (Ó Riain 2011, 429). Located to the NW of Lemanaghan church (OF015-004003-) inside the graveyard (OF015-004004-) there are the remains of a poorly preserved rectangular shaped building (6.8m N-S; 8.4m E-W) with SW angle surviving and wall footings elsewhere. No other features evident although wall construction is very similar to later part of church. Several architectural fragments lying on NE corner of wall foundations.
This structure is known locally as the ‘House of Manchan’ (Monahan 1886, 351). Local folklore from 1938 recorded that is was; ‘the dwelling house of himself and his mother, still exist in Lemonaghan. The ruins of St. Manchan's house is on the northwest side of the church. There remains of only one wall is left.’ (The Schools’ Collection, Vol. 0810, 133). It was suggested that this structure may have served as a priest’s residence in the late medieval period (Quinlan and Moss 2007, 26). Alternatively it may have served as a shrine chapel which housed the relic known as St. Manchan’s Shrine which is now housed in nearby Boher R. C. Church.
This building is part of an archaeological complex consisting of a tower house (OF015-004001-), church (OF015-004003-), graveyard (OF015-004004-) several early christian cross-slabs (OF015-004005-/032-) . Holy well (OF015-004007-) and possible oratory or hermitage (OF015-004006-) and togher (OF015-004011) located to the SE of the church.

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 revised upload: 14 September 2018

References

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

Monahan, Rev. J. 1886 Records relating to the dioceses of Ardagh and Clonmacnoise. Dublin. M.H. Gill and Son.

Quinlan, M. and Moss, R. 2007 Lemanaghan County Offaly Conservation Plan. Heritage Council. Kilkenny.