Church (Site of)

Situated in a fairly level landscape. This is a probable Catholic church of the Penal era that is marked only on the 1940 ed. of the OS 6-inch map in a field that is known locally as the church field. It was thought locally in 1940 that the church, known as ‘Chapel Larden’ or ‘Sarden’, was in use until c. 1800-1820 (OSFM), and it is described as a Mass House by Grattan Flood (1915, 69). A slightly raised rectangular platform (dims. 9.7m E-W; 7.2m N-S; H 0.3m) is visible, but there is no surface evidence of an enclosure or burial. Archaeological testing (07E0530) identified the clay-bonded wall (Wth 0.6-0.7m) of the church and uncovered a fosse or ditch (Wth 1.5-1.8m; D 0.7m) that pre-dated the platform (diam. c. 30-35m). Coarse medieval ceramics were recovered from the ditch and the enclosure may have had an entrance at NW where a terminal is recorded. No burials were recovered. (Stafford 2007, 4, 5; Stafford 2010) 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: 16 October, 2013