What is recorded here
On top of a flat-topped hill on the E side of the Dinin river valley, in rolling pasture. There are commanding views in all directions. Carrigan (1905, vol. 3, 458-9) records the tradition that a church (KK014-015001-) , 'Thomple-Vweahal or parish church of Mothell, stood within Mothell rath [KK014-015003-], a great fort near the present graveyard; that it [the church] was destroyed by the Danes in one of their hostile incursions into this part of the country; and that its foundations, still remaining beneath the floor of the rath, can be traced, during very dry summers, by means of the withered grass'. According to O'Kelly (1985, 44) the church was dedicated to St Nicholas and was used for Protestant worship until 1800 when it was abandoned. O'Kelly (ibid.) also mentions a graveyard within the ringfort. The interior of the ringfort is overgrown with scrub and partially planted with conifers. In 1972 some irregular features, including several circular, curvilinear and straight depressions and slight banks, were noted mainly E of centre in the interior but no structure could be discerned (OPW correspondence, 24 February 1972). There is no visible trace of either the church or graveyard at ground level.
Compiled by: Jean Farrelly
Date of upload: 13 May 2020
This remains an important historical record, but the official description says the monument is no longer visible or has been destroyed. The monument record does not grant public access. Check the route and ask the landowner before entering private land.
- What survives
- No visible remains or recorded as destroyed
Places near here
Cave of DunmoreCave · 492 yd
CastleCastle, tower house · 1009 yd
New Dinin Bridgebridge · 1137 yd
The Cavehouse · 1597 yd
Galvin'sForest · 1620 yd
Site of Kilmadum ChurchChurch · 1.1 mi
Jenkinstown ParkForest · 1.3 mi