Ecclesiastical enclosure

The National Monuments Service's description

Aodh [Hugh] of Rahugh [Ráith Aodha] reputedly founded a monastery here in the 6th century (Walsh 1957, 288). He is also patron of Killare Church (WM024-057----) and a church (DG090-004001-) at Slieve League, Co. Donegal (Ó Riain 2011, 66). Aodh was son of Cormac Breac of the Cinéal Fiachach of Moycashel, his mother was Eithne of the Múscraighe Tíre in Ormond [North Tipperary] (ibid., 66-7). Aodh was reputedly born in the townland of Killare. His principal feastday was commemorated on the 28th of February, but also celebrated on the 4th of May and 16th of November (ibid., 68). In the 19th century a pattern or station was held at the holy well on 2nd of November (Cogan 1867, 522). According to Rev. Walsh (1957, 288) Saint Aodh [Hugh] was commemorated on the 10th of November.
Situated atop low rise of ground in undulating countryside with good views in all directions. Early Christian graveslab (WM038-039----) known locally as the ‘Headache Stone’ and associated with St. Hugh 160m to SW, holy well (WM040-004----) dedicated to St. Hugh 210m to SSE. Roughly oval-shaped graveyard (WM031-041001-) partially enclosed by post-medieval stone wall with entrance gate at NE and stile to N of entrance. Medieval church (WM038-041----) ruins standing in centre of graveyard. The graveyard is enclosed by a post medieval stone wall from NNE-E-S-W-WNW, and from WNW-N-NNE and by a low broad earthen bank which may represent the remains of an ecclesiastical enclosure (of the monastery founded in the 6th century by Aodh [Hugh] of Rahugh [Ráith Aodha]. A rectangular annexe enclosed by the post-medieval stone wall of the graveyard was added on to the N side of this enclosing bank. In 1896 the graveyard and the ecclesiastical enclosure was described as following; ‘the churchyard is in a state of the most terrible confusion, the tombstones lying two or three deep within a circular cashel [WM038-041002-]’ (Stokes 1896, 331). According to Swan (1988, 17) there was evidence of an Early Christian ecclesiastical enclosure in the oval outline of the graveyard (WM031-041001-).

WM038-041002-_01.jpg. View of earthen bank on northern side of graveyard which may represent remains of ecclesiastical enclosure of 6th century monastery. Taken from north looking south.

Compiled by: Caimin O’Brien

Date of upload: 4 September 2014

References

Stokes, Rev. G.T. 1896 St. Hugh of Rahue: his church, his life, and his times. Journal of the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland 6, 325-335.

Swan, D. L. 1988 Early Christian ecclesiastical sites. In J. Bradley (ed.), Settlement and society in medieval Ireland: studies presented to F.X. Martin OSA, 1-31. Kilkenny. Boethius Press.

Cogan, Rev. A. 1862-70 Ecclesiastical history of the diocese of Meath: ancient and modern. (3 vols) Dublin: John Fowler, Joseph Dollard

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

Walsh, P. 1957 The Placenames of Westmeath. Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies.