Church (in Ruins)

This is an early ecclesiastical site identified as Echdruim mac nAedha which was burnt in 790 (AU vol. 1, 247) and 1398 (AU vol. 4, 41), and is listed as Ethdrum in the ecclesiastical taxation of Elphin in 1306 (Cal. doc. Ire., vol. 5, 224) as the parish church of Aughrim parish. Situated on a low drumlin overlooking Lough Nahircha (dims c. 1km E-W; c. 100-200m N-S), which is c. 500m to the ESE. A rectangular structure (int. dims 8.1m E-W; 4.4m N-S) with a doorway (Wth 1.1m) in the W gable but no other architectural features. The re-built walls (T 0.65m; H 2.5-3.2m) incorporate late medieval punch-dressed stones and a small cross-slab (RO017-084005-) (dims 0.3m x 0.2m), now built into the inner face of the E wall. This is Old Red Sandstone with an incised ringed cross and a radial inscription '..n gal..' in the spandrels (Herity et al. 1997, 114). The structure, which was known locally as Beech abbey (RO017-034003-) in 1837 (O'Flanagan 1931, 37), is within a rectangular graveyard (RO017-084002-) (dims 71m E-W; 35.5-38m N-S) containing 18th - 20th century headstones and which is defined by masonry walls. This is within traces of an outer ecclesiastical enclosure (RO017-084004-) (diam. c. 90m) defined by a scarp (H 0.2m at E to 0.6m at S) NE-S. Moated site (R017-085----) is c. 200m to the SE. Compiled by: Michael Moore Date of upload: 24 August 2010

The church at Aughrim was likely founded in the early medieval period, associated with the ecclesiastical site Echdruim mac nAedha, and is mentioned in historical records from the 8th to 14th centuries; its significance lies in its long-standing religious and administrative role in the region, noted in annals and taxation documents.