Chapel in Noughaval (burren By.)

Situated to the SE of a medieval church (CL009-059023-) and within the SE corner of a graveyard (CL009-059024-). Indicated on the OS 25-inch plan (1897) and the 1920 ed. of the OS 6-inch map. Labelled ‘O’Davoren Chapel’ on Robinson’s map (1977). This rectangular chapel (ext. dims. 7.78m E-W; 5.75m N-S; wall Wth 0.74-0.85m) was built in the early 18th century. Both gables (H 4m) and the N wall (H 3m) are best preserved. The W half of the S wall is much reduced in height (H 1.5m). The robbed-out doorway (Wth 1.2m) is in the S wall. Only one jambstone survives on its W side. A pointed tympanum above it bears the following inscription in false relief: IHS. This chapel was built by James Davoren of Lisdoonbvarna who died the 31st of July 1723 aged 39 years. Stone piers (L c. 0.9m; Wth c. 0.9m; H c. 0.3m) at either side of it may be the remains of a porch-like construction (Large 2011). A large blocked-up rectangular window (H c. 1.2m; int. Wth c. 1m) is visible to the E of the doorway and there is another rectangular window (Wth 0.26m; H 1.14m) in the E gable. The roof, which was originally barrel vaulted, had collapsed by 1900 (Westropp 1900-1902, 133). However, the springing of the vault survives on the N wall. A leacht (CL009-059120-) and cross (CL009-059028-) lie c. 4m to the SW of the chapel and the remains of a possible round tower (CL009-0591210) lie c. 82m to the ENE. (Large 2011) The following image has been uploaded: CL009-059027-_01.jpg view of window in E gable from E Compiled by: Olive Alcock and Conn Herriott Date of upload: 30 March 2022

The chapel, known as O'Davoren Chapel, was likely built by the O'Davoren family in the 17th or 18th century; it is situated near a medieval church and graveyard, suggesting a continuation of local religious tradition. Its significance lies in its association with a prominent local family and its indication on early 20th-century Ordnance Survey maps.