Church in Castleinch OR Inchyolaghan

According to Carrigan (1905, vol. 3, 229), 'The old Catholic Parish Church of Inchiologhan dedicated to St. David, Bishop, (March 1st), was taken down to the ground more than two centuries ago, and a Protestant church, now in ruins, erected at the same time in its place'. The OS Letters (1839) refer to 'a modern Protestant Church and Protestant burying ground in the Townland of Castleinch' (O'Flanagan 1930, vol. 1, 266 (90)). Commins (1906, 265) mentions that, 'On the passing of the Irish Church Act [1869], service was discontinued in this church, and the roof was removed, except from the chancel. Under the floor of this part, there is a vault which is the burial place of the noble family of Desart.' Commins (ibid.) also mentions a wall monument (KK023-003003-) on the N wall of the chancel and a, 'human figure carved in stone' S of the church which is possibly an effigial tomb (KK023-003004-). Hogan (1880-83, 48), towards the end of the 19th century, describes the Protestant church as, 'a venerable old structure, shrouded by ivy and hallowed by age'. Compiled by: Jean Farrelly Date of upload: 31 May 2021

The old Catholic Parish Church of Inchyolaghan, dedicated to St. David, was built before the 18th century and later demolished; its original construction date is not specified, but it was replaced by a Protestant church. The church reflects early Christian devotion in the region and the religious changes following the Reformation.