Sites and Monuments Record · Ireland
Church
Cloncreen, County Offaly, Ireland
The record
- Townland
- Cloncreen
- County
- Offaly
- Country
- Ireland
- First-edition OS map
- Church (in ruins)
- Latest-edition OS map
- Church (in Ruins)
- Coordinates
- 53.26584, -7.11541
- SMR number
- OF019-004----
Slide toward Today to fade the historical sheet and see the modern map underneath.
David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries
Shown on 5 historical map sheets, the earliest the 1790 "Composite: Ireland." (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries).
This record in the National Monuments Service's Historic Environment Viewer ↗
The National Monuments Service's description
Situated on flat land with extensive views in all directions. Poorly preserved remains of a nave (int. dims. 6m N-S; 9.4m E-W) and chancel (int. dims. 4m N-S ; 5m E-W; wall T 0.7m) church constructed with uncoursed large roughly shaped stones. No architectural features visible. Large breach (Wth 2m) in the N wall possibly belongs to destroyed door. Graveyard (OF019-004001-) contains 19th and 18th-century headstones with modern extension to W. Probable early medieval church.
Early medieval church built with limestone rubble. Nave (ext. dims. 10.75m E-W x 7.5m N-S) and narrower chancel (5.5m N-S x 5.6m E-W) apparently contemporary since there is no evidence to the contrary. No architectural features to be seen. Gap in W end of S wall probably represents remains of doorway.
A test excavation was carried out by John Kavanagh of Icon Archaeology Ltd under licence No. 08E0351 at a greenfield site (NGR 25906/22428) at Cloncreen, Clonbologue, Co. Offaly, prior to the construction of a single domestic dwelling opposite the site of a church and graveyard (OF019–004----). During the course of the excavation a single narrow gully and fire-spot were uncovered. These features were resolved under licence 08E0894 (Bennett 2011, 298). During the course of the excavation a single narrow gully and fire-spot were uncovered. Both features were cleaned, recorded and left in situ. No datable evidence was recovered (Bennett 2011, 298).
A test excavation was carried out by John Kavanagh of Icon Archaeology Ltd under licence No. 08E0893 at a greenfield site at Cloncreen, Clonbologue, Co. Offaly, prior to the construction of a house opposite the site of a church and graveyard (OF019–004). During the course of the test excavation a single plough furrow was uncovered. An excavation is scheduled for 2009 (Bennett 2011, 298).
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 by Caimin O'Brien
Date of upload/revision: 10 November 2011
Nearby in the register
- Graveyardunder 1 mi
- Road - class 3 togherunder 1 mi
- Enclosure2 mi
- Road - class 3 togher2 mi
Other entries of the same register within about three miles of this one, by straight line.