Grave Yard

Associated with St. Colmán Eala who founded a monastery here in the sixth century. Early Christian enclosure (OF016-031007-) which survives as a crop mark with motte castle (OF016-032001-) in field to the S. Present remains consist of a roughly square shaped graveyard (dims. 46m N-S x 45m E-W) enclosed by a stone wall of possible 17th century date with 17th century round arched gateway built with large blocks of punch dressed ashlar in centre of W wall. Multi-period church (OF016-031001-) originally of pre-Romanesque date with later 15th and 17th-century additions stands in N sector of graveyard. In 1682-5 Bishop Dopping recorded that the church was in good repair and possessed a small chancel and that the churchyard was enclosed by a stone wall’ (Ellison 1975, 7). The current graveyard wall appears to be the same wall as that described by Bishop Dopping. Graveyard described in 1942 as following: ‘Raised rect. graveyard with many old stones. The gate has a round-headed arch built of large blocks of pock-dressed ashlar, no bevel, 5’8” [1.72m] wide x 7’ [2.13m] high, jambs 1’6” [0.45m] thick. Behind them rough jambs with slight splay 1’8½” [0.52m] thick, without arch. The gate projects from and rises above graveyard wall, which may be modern; outer quoins of gate ashlar, total length 12’ [3.65m]. On N. side inside a rectangular niche 1’3” high [0.38m] x 1’6½” [0.47m] wide x 1’1” [0.33m- deep of rough ashlar. The gate could be XVIc.’ (ITA Survey SMR File). Late medieval graveslab (OF016-031005-) traditionally known as St. Colman's Cross has a floriated cross with switchline traceried head carved in relief located in W sector of graveyard/ 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: 8 June 2015

Early Christian monastic site, 6th–7th century. Associated with St. Colmán Eala and significant as a foundation linked to early Irish Christianity.