Leper hospital in Aghamanister AND Spital

A leper hospital was built in this townland and, while most of the stone structure has 'now disappeared', the site is still known locally and was, until recently, signposted as 'Leprosarium' (Lee 1996, 35-6; Gwynn and Hadcock 1970, 356). According to Lee (1996, 36), the leper hospital was situated near the old bridge, known as Spital bridge, over the Arigideen stream. Other indications of the existence of this hospital are carried in the name of the nearby Spital cross-roads and the townland name itself, which also has the 'spital' element. It was tended by monks from Abbeymahon Cistercian abbey (CO136-030003-) but the great Franciscan friary (CO136-030003-) in the nearby village of Timoleague was also associated with it (ibid.). According to Lee (ibid.), a leper-squint, through which lepers could participate in Mass and receive Holy Communion, occurs in the Franciscan friary. The above description is derived from 'The Archaeological Inventory of County Cork. Volume 5' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 2009). Date of upload: 22 December 2009