Kilbragh Church (in ruins)

On a low ridge running roughly N–S, at the base of a hill which rises to the WNW, in undulating pasture. There is a stream which runs NE–SW 200-300m to the E–SE–S and the land slopes gently to the low land adjacent to the stream. The tree covered hill on which Tullamain motte and bailey (TS069-045003-) stands is visible 1km to the SE. Two ringforts (TS069-018---- and TS069-025----) are visible c. 600m and c. 400m respectively on the hillside to the NNW. Ó Cearbhaill (2007, 66-7) lists references to the church at Kilbragh which date back to 1200 A.D. The church is depicted as a rectangular building orientated E–W on the 1st (1840) ed. 6-inch OS map. Only a fragment of masonry survives (L 3.14m E–W; Wth 2.34m N–S; wall T 1.4m) in a fallen position, with one face of the masonry facing upwards. It is constructed of limestone rubble, roughly coursed and gives an indication of how substantial the church most have been. The masonry rests at the W end of a undulating, sub-rectangular mound (top dims. 9.1m N–S; 16.8m E–W; overall dims. 22m N–S; 26.7m E–W; H 0.9m) which is the earth-covered remains of the church. A roughly circular area is delineated on the 1st (1840) ed. 6-inch OS map as a graveyard (TS069-026001-) enclosing the church. There are a lot of earthworks (TS069-026002-) in the field surrounding the church, some of which may be associated with the graveyard, while others may be the remains of a settlement associated with the church. Compiled by: Jean Farrelly Date of upload: 17 October 2011