Aharney Church (in Ruins)

Dedicated to St Bridget. Only the featureless W gable survives bu Carrigan (1905, vol. 2, 308) mentions that half of E gable and portions of S wall of the church (L c. 12.75m; Wth c. 5.1m) were to be seen c. 1900. No early grave-markers visible. Described by Carrigan as 'Of the Church dedicated to St. Bridget (Feb. 1st), only the west gable, a fragment or two of the south side-wall, and one half the east gable remain. It was 42 and a half feet long, internally and 16 ft. 9 in. wide, the walls being from 2 and a half to 3 ft. thick, and built of small rough stones and grouting. One side of a tall lancet window remains standing in the east gable; the other side is fallen. At present there is no appearance of any division of the church into nave and chancel' (Carrigan 1905, vol. 2, 308). The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Laois' (Dublin Stationery Office, 1995) compiled by P. David Sweetman, Olive Alcock and Bernie Moran. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload: 17 December 2007