Church (in ruins)

Within the SE portion of a roughly triangular graveyard (KK023-014002-). Described in the OS Letters (1839) as, 'Teampall Ratha Uachtair, the Church of Ratha Uachtair', where there are, 'small portions of the walls of a Church to be seen here, which they say stood formerly within a Rath. The ground has been so much disturbed by grave digging, that the foundation cannot now be traced' (O'Flanagan 1930, vol. 1, 264-5 (89)). Carrigan (1905, vol. 3, 228) refers to many of the early names for Outrath and states that this parish church, 'was prebendal as early as the beginning of the 14th century, and, perhaps, during the two preceding centuries. Robert Sutton was appointed by the King to the Prebend of Oghterath in the Cathedral Church of St. Canice of Kilkenny, Oct. 19th, 1386. In the following century the parish of Outrath was annexed to the Chancellorship of the Diocese. The parish church was dedicated to our National Apostle, St. Patrick, and stood according to tradition, within the Rath from which the parish has its name. No trace of its walls now remains'. Compiled by: Jean Farrelly Date of upload: 1 June 2021