Grave Yard

A monastery at Lemanaghan (Liath Manchán) was founded in the 7th century by Manchán whose feastday is celebrated on the 24th of January (Ó Riain 2011, 429). Lemanaghan Castle (OF015-004001-) located 35m to NW. In centre of Lemanaghan graveyard are the ruins of a multi-period rectangular church (OF015-004003-) with medieval building known as St Managhan's House (OF015-004005-) in NW quadrant. The graveyard (approx. dims. 54m N-S x 65m E-W) is enclosed by a polygonal shaped stone wall of post-1700 date with entrance gate and stile in W wall. Second stile in SE wall gives access to the holy well (OF015-004007-) and St. Mella's Cell (OF015-004006-) 350m to the E. The memorials in the graveyard date from the 18th century to modern times. One early Christian cross-slab is now attached to the E wall of the church and a second slab is attached to the S wall close to the SE angle. 12 early Christian cross-slabs (OF015-004016-/032-) are now located inside the disused schoolhouse 30m NW of the graveyard. A single erect stone (OF015-004005-) decorated with spiral and fret motif with possible maze pattern is located in the graveyard to the SW of the church (OF015-004003-). (Cooke 1875, 343; Crawford 1911, 151-6; O' Flanagan 1933, vol. 1, 82-3; Lionard 1961, 141-5) The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Offaly' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1997). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research Compiled and revised by: Caimin O'Brien Date of revised upload: 14 September 2018

Early medieval monastic site; associated with Saint Manchán, 7th century. Likely significance as a religious and burial center in medieval Ireland.