Erry Church (in Ruins)

In flat grassland at base of W-facing hillslope in undulating countryside with good views to N, S and W, higher ground to E, stream 115m to W of church. Wall-footings of levelled nave and chancel church (overall int. dims. 5.65m N-S; 19.5m E-W; wall T 0.8m) are visible at the N end of the rectangular graveyard (TS053-045002-) which is defined by a low earth and stone bank with a possible castle (TS053-045003-) 100m to S and watermill (TS053-045001-) 239m to SW. There are earthworks of a possible deserted settlement (TS053-045004-) to W, N and S of the church and graveyard. The OS Letters describe a poorly preserved nave (dims. 48 ft [14.6m] E-W x 19 ft 2 inches [5.8m] N-S) and chancel (dims. 18 ft [5.5m] N-S) (O'Flanagan 1930, vol. 1, 109). The church is mentioned in 1291 in the Papal Taxation as part of the possessions of Hore Abbey (Cahill 1982). In 1840 the N wall of the church was the best preserved and stood 11 ft [3.35m] high and measured three feet [0.9m] thick, built with uncoursed limestone rubble (ibid.). Described by White (1892, 13) as an upstanding church with a doorway at the E end of the S wall and the N wall partly upstanding, with no visible grave-markers visible. Compiled by: Jean Farrelly Date of upload: 26 August 2011