What is recorded here

Grave Yard in County Cork, Ireland, is a ghost in grass. The circular fence that once marked Russan's Church is gone, leaving only memory and a rectangle of soil where the building stood. What remains is a shape the land remembers, not a wall you can touch.

In pasture, on E-facing slope. Depicted on 1842 OS 6-inch map as large dotted circle (diam. c. 110m) labelled 'Grave Yd', with rectangular dotted structure in SE quadrant labelled 'site of church'. No visible surface trace. According to Power (1923, 176), 'the large circular surrounding fence was thrown down within the last half century', he gives the site as 'Cill Rossaín (Russan's Church)'. Large circular enclosure suggests possible remains of early monastery (CO064-014001-). One of two churches (the other CO064-012001-) 'in good repair' in Killaspugmullane parish in 1615 (Brady 1863, vol. 1,153). 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

A Neolithic or early Christian burial site, likely a ring cemetery; significance lies in its possible ecclesiastical association and as a prehistoric funerary landscape.

The monument record does not grant public access. Check the route and ask the landowner before entering private land.