Church in Castlemagner

In graveyard (14559). Abutting SE corner of nave of C of I church (14709) is low overgrown corner of earlier structure (1m E-W; 2.5m E-W; H c. 3m). Bowman (1934, 36-7) described now missing portion of E wall as 'c. 12ft high by 7ft wide and 2 feet 2 in thickness'. Remains of parish church of Castlemagner. Described in 1693 as 'much damnified by the late wars, but now in repairing' (Brady 1863, vol. 2, 101). A church here listed in Papal Taxation of 1291 (ibid., 100). 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

The church in Castlemagner was likely built in the early medieval period, with evidence suggesting it predates the Church of Ireland church (14709) adjacent to it. Its remains show characteristics of a small, earlier Christian structure, possibly dedicated to a local saint, and it represents an important link to the area's pre-Reformation ecclesiastical history.