Ecclesiastical enclosure

The National Monuments Service's description

The curving sections of the D-shaped boundary wall of post-medieval date at Noughaval graveyard (WM016-012001-) may indicate the presence of an Early Christian ecclesiastical enclosure (Swan 1988, 19). Inside the curving boundary wall are the remains of a low earthen bank mainly reduced to a scarp with indications of a possible external fosse now filled in, visible running along inner face of N and E sections of graveyard wall. Medieval church ruins (WM016-012----) standing in N quadrant of Noughaval graveyard contains possible sandstone head of 12th century date. Possible holy well (WM016-012002-) associated with St Finnian located outside NW quadrant of graveyard boundary wall. A low linear earthwork in field to E of graveyard may represent remains of an old trackway running from the graveyard towards Noughaval House to the E which clearly visible on Bing Maps aerial photographs. Circular enclosure (WM016-012004-), possibly a small ring-barrow in field immediately S of boundary wall, clearly visible on OSI 2005 aerial photographs. The SMR file mentions the presence of a carved head in a shed belonging to nearby Noughaval House that was thought to be of Early Christian date. This head appears to date from the post-medieval period and may be contemporaneous with Noughaval House.

Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien

Date of upload: 1 October 2014

References

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.