Ballynakill Church

In a subrectangular graveyard (GA022-012001-) overlooking Ballynakill Lough to the S. This poorly preserved medieval church (E-W; L 20.2m, Wth 6.1m) is dedicated to St Ceannanach (Hardiman 1846, 118). Only the W gable wall survives to its full height; the N and S walls, and E gable are in a much-collapsed state. There is a robbed-out doorway in the S wall, a twin-light round-headed window with a small circular ope above in the W gable and a wall cupboard in the N end of the E gable. The interior is divided by a later wall. When visited in October 1983 the interior of the church was heavily overgrown. During a revisit May 2017 it was noted that much of the overgrowth had been removed. A fragment of a hanging eye associated with the doorway was visible in the internal wall-face of the S wall. A number of dressed arched stones lying on the ground to the S of the church are part of the original doorway. Two cross-slabs (GA022-012003- and GA022-012004-) are visible in the graveyard. (Killanin 1954, 97; O'Flanagan 1927a, Vol. 3, 30-1; Tully Cross I.C.A. 1985, 6-7) The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Galway Vol. I - West Galway'. Compiled by Paul Gosling (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1993). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. The following images have been uploaded: GA022-012----_01 Church from S.jpg GA022-012----_02 Window in W gable wall from W.jpg GA022-012----_03 Window in W gable wall from E.jpg GA022-012----_04 Possible hanging eye in S wall.jpg GA022-012----_05 General view from E.jpg Updated by: Olive Alcock Date of revised upload: 28 March 2017