Graveyard

The National Monuments Service's description

Early Christian monastery known as Teach Sáráin [Tisaran/House of Saran] founded by Sárán, son of Brógán of the Dál gCais of Thomond in the seventh century (Ó Riain 2011, 547-8; ITA Survey 1942). Medieval church ruins (OF022-004----) stands in SE quadrant of square-shaped graveyard (approx. dims. 50m N-S x 51m E-W) that is enclosed by a post-1700 stone wall with entrance gate at NW corner. Graveyard contains 18th/19th-century headstones. 17th century chest-tomb (OF022-004002-) in graveyard to W of church ruins. Early Christian cross-slab (OF022-004003-) recorded by Crawford (1913, 262-5) is now located inside High St. RC church near Belmont village.

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: 28 February 2019

References

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

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).