Church (in Ruins)

Just E of centre in graveyard (CO078-00101-), what appears to be W gable of church survives (L 5.4m) to near full height; ivy-clad. Ruined central ope (Wth c. 2.3m) may have been door. Some 5m to E is walled-in grave plot (7.5m x 6.2m) which may overlie E wall of church. Remains of Clonpriest parish church described by Lewis (1837, vol. 1, 375) as 'a very old and inconvenient building....it is in contemplation to erect another on a more eligible site'; Clonpriest and Ardagh parishes described as having no churches in 1649 (Brady 1863, vol. 2, 22), Clonpriest had 'one church' in 1789 (ibid., 156); a report in 1837 (ibid.) described it as 'built about 100 years ago'; shown as small rectangular structure 'in ruins' on 1842 OS 6-inch map. 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