Church

The National Monuments Service's description

Listed as Kilbegnata in the ecclesiastical taxation of Elphin in 1306 (Cal. doc. Ire., vol. 5, 224), and probably the site of the medieval parish church of Kilbegnet. It is marked similarly on the 1840 (GA020) and 1927 (RO038) eds of the OS 6-inch map as a simple graveyard, and is situated on a rise in an undulating landscape. The wedge-shaped graveyard (RO038-033002-) (dims 68m E-W; 46m N-S at W; 78m N-S at E) is defined by masonry walls with a cairn (dims 5m NNW-SSE; 3m ENE-WSW; H 0.5m) at the centre which may be the remains of the church.

Two fragments of what may be a churchyard cross with a square cross-section (dims L 0.57m; 0.4m; 0.2m x 0.21m: total L 0.9m) have been identified and recorded by Mary B. Timoney and Martin A. Timoney. It has at least two sets of pyramidal stops on the chamfered edges, and the remains of the square head has a panel with the date 1632 beneath the initials OS in false relief on one side. The Timoneys have also identified and recorded a graveslab (L 2.04m; Wth 0.65-0.78m; T 0.18m) with an incised floriated and ringed cross on a two-step calvary. The initials IB are within the ring, and the date 1624 is beneath it, in relief.

Compiled by: Michael Moore

Date of amended upload: 25 July 2016

References

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