Abbey (in Ruins)

Within a possible ecclesiastical enclosure (LF013-045001-), in the SE part of a graveyard (LF013-045009-). Known as 'Cluain Deochra', this is traditionally regarded as the site of a monastery founded by St Ernan (McNamee 1942a, 16-20). A church is depicted in the townland of 'Clonoghery' on an early 17th-century map of Moydow barony (BL, Cotton MS Augustus I.ii.28). A report in 1975 (SMR file) noted that only the N wall and part of the S wall of this medieval church survived. A possible doorway was evident at the W end of the N wall. A number of tombstones were visible in the interior and a modern tomb occupied the E end of the church. An ogival window head and a possible font had been placed within the canopy niche of the tomb and five cross-slabs (LF013-045004-, LF013-045010-, LF013-045011-, LF013-045012-, LF013-045013-) were cemented to the wall of the niche. A bullaun stone (LF013-045006-) was set in the ground outside the NW corner of the church. On inspection in 2008 only the foundations of parts of the N wall (L 10m; wall T 0.9m; H 1.2m) and the E gable (L 8m) survived. A drystone wall (H 1.2m; T c. 1m) built on top of the foundations relates to a graveyard clean-up scheme that was carried out in the 1990s. Several architectural fragments from the church can be seen in its fabric. A modern display feature has been erected on the site of the E gable and the five cross-slabs and the window head are now cemented into its W face. The bullaun stone was still visible at NW. A rockery had been built at the E end of the N wall and a second bullaun stone (LF013-045005-), possibly the font noted above, has been placed on it. A hospital (LF013-045014-) is also associated. Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien Date of upload: 4 June 2013

A monastery at Cluain Deochra, traditionally founded by St Ernan in the 6th or 7th century, is associated with the ruins at Ballynakill; the site is located within an ecclesiastical enclosure and graveyard, reflecting early Christian monastic settlement in the region.