Church (in ruins)

Situated at the crest of an E-facing slope with a N-S stream c. 200m to the E. This is the site of the parish church of Kilgarvan, dedicated to one of the many St. Garbháns that are known (Ó Riain 2011, 362-4). According to a Visitation by Thomas Ram, the Protestant bishop of Ferns, in 1615 John Bateson, a student, was rector, Robert Dreighan was the curate, and the church and chancel were in repair (Hore 1900-11, vol. 6, 271). The church was originally within a circular graveyard (diam. c. 60m), but the perimeter, a field bank (at N: Wth 2m; H 1m) and hedge has been removed NE-SW. The church foundations, which are described by John O’Donovan c. 1840 as ‘about 36 feet in length and about 18 in breath’ (dims c. 11m x c. 5m) (O'Flanagan 1933, vol. 2, 47-8) and which are visible on aerial photograph (CUCAP, BGF 44) were tidied up forming a cairn (dims 14.2m E-W; 7.1m N-S; H 0.7m) in 1975. The lower end of a medieval graveslab (Wth 0.35-0.4m; H 0.6m; T 7cm) with a fleur-de-lys terminal at the foot of the cross is used as a grave-marker in the graveyard. The site of St Garvan's Well (WX036-033----) is c. 250m to the E. The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Wexford' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1996). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Compiled by: Michael Moore Date of upload/revision: 8 November, 2012 Amended: 4 Sep. 2013

The church at Kilgarvan was likely built in the early medieval period, dedicated to St. Garbhán, a saint associated with several sites in Ireland. Its location and dedication reflect the influence of early Christian settlement in the region.