Catholic Church

In Mitchelstown, on W-facing slope overlooking New Market Square. Church demolished in 1977/78 leaving W tower standing attached to modern church (Power 1996, 61). Tower of ashlar limestone construction. Central pointed door ope in W wall: original wooden doors and ornate iron hinges survive; date stone inscribed 'A.D. 1847' in wall overhead. Tower topped by embattled parapet wall with corner pinnacles, and by ribbed spire with ball and cross at tip. Church indicated on 1842 OS 6-inch map as T-shaped structure with slight chancel projection to E; first opened in 1834 (ibid.). When tower built a limestone cross from earlier church (14753) was built into it; cross removed in 1988 and placed in graveyard to S (ibid.), from where it was removed recently. Interior of church had plastered fan-vaulted ceiling, made by craftsmen who executed ceiling of gallery at Mitchelstown Castle (14918) (ibid., 123). D-shaped graveyard to W, enclosed by stone wall on W side, low curving stone walls topped with iron railings elsewhere; four piered entrances. Headstones date from 19th century to present day. Also 20th-century burial ground to S of church. Of same date is large rectangular burial ground to N, named 'St Fanahan's Catholic Cemetery' on 1935 OS 6-inch map. The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Cork. Volume 4: North Cork' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 2000). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload/revision: 14 January 2009