Graveyard

The National Monuments Service's description

Associated with St. Colmán Eala who founded a monastery here in the sixth century. Early Christian enclosure (OF016-031007-) which survives as a crop mark with motte castle (OF016-032001-) in field to the S. Present remains consist of a roughly square shaped graveyard (dims. 46m N-S x 45m E-W) enclosed by a stone wall of possible 17th century date with 17th century round arched gateway built with large blocks of punch dressed ashlar in centre of W wall. Multi-period church (OF016-031001-) originally of pre-Romanesque date with later 15th and 17th-century additions stands in N sector of graveyard. In 1682-5 Bishop Dopping recorded that the church was in good repair and possessed a small chancel and that the churchyard was enclosed by a stone wall’ (Ellison 1975, 7). The current graveyard wall appears to be the same wall as that described by Bishop Dopping.
Graveyard described in 1942 as following: ‘Raised rect. graveyard with many old stones. The gate has a round-headed arch built of large blocks of pock-dressed ashlar, no bevel, 5’8” [1.72m] wide x 7’ [2.13m] high, jambs 1’6” [0.45m] thick. Behind them rough jambs with slight splay 1’8½” [0.52m] thick, without arch. The gate projects from and rises above graveyard wall, which may be modern; outer quoins of gate ashlar, total length 12’ [3.65m]. On N. side inside a rectangular niche 1’3” high [0.38m] x 1’6½” [0.47m] wide x 1’1” [0.33m- deep of rough ashlar. The gate could be XVIc.’ (ITA Survey SMR File). Late medieval graveslab (OF016-031005-) traditionally known as St. Colman's Cross has a floriated cross with switchline traceried head carved in relief located in W sector of graveyard/

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: 8 June 2015

References

Ellison, C. C. 1975 Bishop Dopping's Visitation Book 1682-1685. Ríocht na Midhe 6, 3-12.

Irish Tourist Association. Surveys undertaken in the 1940s for the Irish Tourist Association (now Fáilte Ireland) relating to ‘Natural features, antiquities, historic associations etc.' Extracts from these surveys were copied into the Topographical files of the Office of Public Works and these have been incorporated into the Sites and Monuments Record files (National Monuments Service).