Grave Yard

On E side of road, 800m SSW of Dungourney village; subrectangular graveyard (c. 70m N-S; c. 70m E-W) no longer in use but containing 85 headstones dating from 1751 (O Buachalla & Henchion 1964; Coleman 1910-12b). Site of ancient parish church (CO066-001002-) of Dungourney; church in ruins as late as 1774 (Brady 1863, vol. 1, 193); no trace of any structure earlier than C of I church, built in 1800, standing in centre of graveyard. Described by Lewis (1837, vol. 1, 582) as 'a plain building with a shingled spire' for which money had 'recently been granted for its repair' (ibid). Rectangular church with attached tower at W end. Low two-storey tower with flat, pyramidal slate roof; entrance door in S wall; louvered windows at 1st floor level. Three windows in S wall of church: paired lights set in limestone surrounds; three blocked/blind windows in N wall; stained glass window in E gable. Church deconsecrated and now used as store; interior fittings removed. Two wooden partitions flank altar giving impression of chancel. 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