Church (in Ruins)

In Upper Aghada; N of centre in graveyard (CO088-03501-), ruins of rectangular church (int.: 18.11m E-W; 6.1m N-S). Tall, slightly-splayed window opes in N (2) and S (3) walls, and in centre of E wall; blocked attic window in W gable; doorways in N wall and in centre of W wall (blocked); all above of 18th century appearance. Interior contains numerous 19th and 20th century headstones, the earliest dating from 1819 (Coleman & Healy 1901-3). At base of E window part of arch stone for door surround of late medieval character. In 1710 an Act of Parliament granted permission to build 'a new parish church in a more convenient place' (Brady 1863, vol. 2, 7); instead, present church built about this time within ancient graveyard of Aghada; in repair 1774, marked on 1842 OS 6-inch map as 'in ruins'. In 1817 new church (CO088-05802-) built on different site 300m to NW. The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Cork. Volume 2: East and South Cork' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1994). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload/revision: 14 January 2009