Church (in Ruins)

Situated in an undulating landscape. The parish church of Killallon is within a rectangular graveyard (dims c. 75m E-W; c. 60m N-S) defined by a slight earthen bank inside masonry walls, which form the townland boundary with Loughanderg on every side except the S. A church at Killalon is listed in the ecclesiastical taxation (1302-06) of Pope Nicholas IV (Cal. doc. Ire. 5, 259). Cogan (1862-70, 2, 287) says the church was dedicated to St. Bartholomew. Ussher (1622) describes the church and chancel as somewhat ruinous (Erlington 1847-64, 1, cxvii). According to Dopping’s visitation (1682-5) the church and chancel were ruined, although the graveyard was enclosed (Ellison 1975, 9). This is a divided nave (int. dims 16 E-W; 5.95m N-S) and chancel (int. dims 9m E-W; 5m N-S) structure with walls that survive (H c. 1.2m) completely, but the nave walls are drystone with a modern entrance (Wth 1.35m) in the N wall and a narrower entrance in the S. The chancel walls (T 0.8m) are mortared, and the chancel appears to have been added to the nave. There is a holy water stoup on the S nave wall. Archaeological excavation (93E0027) of the earthen bank revealed a stone wall (Wth 0.45m; H 0.5m) at it is core (Meenan 1995). The graveyard is now extended to the S (dims c. 75m E-W; c. 25m N-S), and the motte (ME022-) is c. 90m SW of the church. The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Meath' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1987). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Compiled by: Michael Moore Date of upload/revision: 16 December, 2014

A local church or high cross; wider significance not recorded.