Hospital in Spittle (coshlea By., Darragh Ed)

The precise location of 'a chapel' or the 'old hospital of Darragh' in the townland of Spittle has not been identified. Site of hospital in the parish of Daragh or Glenroe described by Lewis (1837, 59) as; 'near the road leading from Mitchelstown to Kilflyn are the remains of the old hospital of Darragh' (Gwynn and Hadcock 1970, 356). The ruins of this hospital are depicted on the 17th century Down Survey map of Coshlea Barony (Hib. Reg.). On this map the ruins of a church are shown standing on the N bank of the Keale River which forms the townland boundary with Darragh. Ballinacourty Castle (LI056-048----) is depicted on this map standing to the W of the church or chapel site. The terrier of the Down Survey map of Kilfinnan Parish recorded that 'upon the Lands of Spittle are the walls of a Church or Chappell' (NLI, MS 718). The church site or small chapel stood in the fields to the N of the Keale River in close proximity to the fording point of the river now crossed by Darragh Bridge. See attached Down Survey map showing the church ruins in the townland of Spittle. Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien Date of upload: 20 October 2021