Church

The National Monuments Service's description

Located on a slight NW-SE spur with a NW-SE stream c. 300m to the E that loops around to the S and W and is c. 600m to the SW flowing N. The parish church of Kilcavan, Bargy, is within a circular graveyard (int. diam. 58m N-S; 57m E-W) defined by an earthen bank and hedge. According to a Visitation by Thomas Ram, the Protestant bishop of Ferns, in 1615 Henry Reigh was the rector, and the church and chancel were in repair (Hore 1900-11, vol. 6, 269). The parish was named after Caomhán Santleathan of Ardcavan (WX038-006001-), whose feast fell on the 12th of June (Ó Riain 2011, 157).
The church consists of a nave (ext. dims. 12.9m E-W; c. 9m N- S) and chancel (ext. dims. 7.2m E-W; c. 6m N-S) with ivy-covered walls surviving complete except the N wall of the nave, which is completely removed. The walls of the chancel are greatly reduced at S (H 0.7m), largely removed at E, or re-built in the S wall of a 19th century mortuary enclosure at N. According to John O’Donovan writing c. 1840 (O’Flanagan 1933, vol. 2, 86-7) the W gable has a double bellcote, which is now hidden in ivy, but a slit window beneath it is visible. A pointed doorway (Wth 0.94m; H 1.73m) of undressed stone towards the W end of the S nave wall is the only other recognisable feature. There is a buttress immediately E of this doorway and another at the W end of the S wall. A rounded chancel arch (Wth 2.06m; H 1.85m) of undressed stone leads to the chancel which has evidence of a tomb niche in the N wall. St Cavan's Well (WX046-003----), where patterns were held on the 12th of June in 19th century (ibid. vol. 2, 87) lies c. 600m to the SW.

See the attached section of the Down Survey (1656-8) parish map (N at top right) reproduced courtesy of the National Library of Ireland (Ms 725)

The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Wexford' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1996). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research.

Compiled by: Michael Moore

Date of upload/revision: 20 August, 2013
Amended: 2 Sep. 2013

References

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