Ecclesiastical enclosure

The National Monuments Service's description

Possibly the site of the Early Christian monastery of Ceall Tóma/Tuama founded by Ninnidh Láimhiodhan of the Ceinéal Laoghaire whose feastday fell on the 13th of November (Masterson 1998, 43-4; Ó Riain 2011, 516). The curve of the field fence to the E of graveyard (WM007-008001-) possibly indicates the presence of an Early Christian ecclesiastical enclosure (Swan 1988, 21).
Present remains consist of a poorly preserved low earth and stone sub-rectangular shaped mound (approx. dims 7m E-W x 2.75m N-S; H 0.6m). There is a hint of some low earthworks to the S and E and in particular traces of a curving bank which extends away from the mound, curving SE to meet the projecting corner of the E field boundary. No surface remains visible of a church (WM007-008----) or graveyard. Cultivation ridges aligned NE-SW can be seen running across the site. Two fields to the E there is a possible holy well, marked Toberawaugh (WM007-130----).

Compiled and revised by: Caimin O’Brien

Date of revised upload: 21 February 2017

References

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

Swan, D.L. 1988 The Early Christian ecclesiastical sites of County Westmeath. In J. Bradley (ed.), Settlement and society in Medieval Ireland: studies presented to F.X. Martin O.S.A., 1-31. Kilkenny. Boethius Press.

Masterson, R. 1998 Some lesser-known ecclesiastical sites in Fore, Co. Westmeath. Ríocht na Midhe 9, 40-8, 43-4.