Leper hospital

The National Monuments Service's description

In improved pasture, on an E-facing slope; Rock of Cashel clearly visible to N. There is a rectangular enclosure (TS061-167----) c. 19m to S and a ringfort (TS061-072----) c. 25m to WSW. According to Lee (1996, 23) Sir David Latimer, Seneschal of Cashel, founded a hospital for lepers c. 1230 AD. A regular grant was made by Mairin O'Brien Archbishop of Cashel (1224-37) and it was later placed in the care of the Cistercian monks of Hore Abbey (TS061-024----) (founded 1272) (Gwynn and Hadcock 1988, 347). Named the 'Hospital of St. Nicholas', it treated the sick and infirm (ibid). Long (1897, 149) states that, 'the remains of a Gothic arch and a few masses of masonry…' were still visible. The adjacent townalnd of Knocksaintlour translates to 'Hill of Saint of the Lepers' i.e. of St. Lazarus (Lee, ibid). The rectangular building (dims. 18m E-W; 10m N-S) is defined by a scarp (Wth 2.75m; H 0.35m) and the remains of sod-covered wall foundations (overall Wth 5m; Wth at top 1.7m; int. H 0.35m; ext. H 0.15m) to the N and E, which are more reduced to W and reduced to scarp at S. The monument appears to have been levelled off downslope to E where there is a build up of earthen material. A low, sub-oval rise (dims. 6.5m WNW-ESE; 4.5m NNE-SSW) defined by a scarp (Wth 1.5m; H 0.11m) adjoins the NE angle. A distinctive scarp (long-axis c. NNE-SSW), traverses the field, c. 7m to the E.
Compiled by: Jean Farrelly

Date of upload: 26 August 2011

References

Long, R.H. Rev. 1897 Monuments in Cashel and Emly. Journal of the Waterford and Southeast of Ireland Archaeological Society, 3, 149-51.

Gwynn, A. and Hadcock, R.N. 1970 (Reprint 1988) Medieval religious houses of Ireland. Dublin. Irish Academic Press.

Lee, G.A. 1996 Leper hospitals in medieval Ireland. Dublin. Four Courts Press.