Church

The National Monuments Service's description

Lands at Kilbryan were granted to the abbey of Trinity Island (RO006-036001-) in 1237, and the monks may have built this church for their demesne on the mainland (Clyne 2005, 24; 2010, 69) and as a parish church for Kilbryan. It is not listed in the ecclesiastical taxation of c. 1310, but is described as the parish church of Kilbrine in the Civil Survey (Simington 1949, 145). it is situated on top of a low wooded rise. Rectangular structure (int. dims 15m E-W; 6.95m N-S) whose walls (T 0.75-1m; H 0.4-4m) are built of coursed mortared limestone. There is a destroyed window ope at the E end of the S wall (H c. 4m) and cairn material in the interior. A scarp (H 0.5-1m) 13m to the S and curving around to the W may represent the perimeter of a grass and scrub-covered (diam. c. 40m) ecclesiastical enclosure (RO006-038002-), but there is no evidence of burial.

Compiled by: Michael Moore

Date of upload: 24 August 2010

References

Clyne, M. 2005 Archaeological excavations at Holy Trinity Abbey, Lough Key, Co. Roscommon. Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy 105C (2), 23-98.

Cal. doc. Ire. - Calendar of documents relating to Ireland 1171-1307, ed. H.S. Sweetman (5 vols., London, 1875-86).

Simington, R.C. (ed.) 1949 Books of survey and distribution. County of Roscommon. Dublin. Stationery Office.

Clyne, M. 2010 The rental of Holy Trinity abbey, Lough Cé. In T. Finan (ed.), Medieval Lough Cé: history, archaeology and landscape. Dublin. Four Courts Press.