Survey Data
Reg No
14819098
Rating
Regional
Categories of Special Interest
Archaeological, Architectural, Artistic, Social, Technical
Original Use
Church/chapel
Date
1800 - 1840
Coordinates
205836, 204916
Date Recorded
26/08/2004
Date Updated
--/--/--
Description
Boundary walls and railings, erected c.1820, enclosing the medieval site of Saint Brendan's church with remains of nave and tower, surrounded by burial ground. Site bounded by random course stone wall to south, west and east and ruled-and-lined rendered plinth wall to north surmounted by wrought-iron railings. Square-profile limestone gate piers with base, carved frieze, cornice and pyramidal capping stones with decorative wrought-iron gates giving access to site. Gates were made by Finnegan's of Cappaneale, Birr.
Appraisal
This ecclesiastical site has a long and colourful history. The medieval church was used as a defensive outpost for Birr Castle in the sieges of 1643 and 1690 and it also came into possession of the Roman Catholic parish priest for a short period between 1689 and the Battle of the Boyne in 1690. Other than that it acted as a place of worship for the Church of Ireland community until the present Saint Brendan's Church was built on Oxmantown Mall. The boundary wall with wrought-iron railings and the impressive wrought-iron entrance gates were made by Finnegan's of Cappaneale, Birr. Enclosing the site, they enhance and compliment this archaeologically significant ruin.