Monksgrange Church (in Ruins)

In gently undulating countryside. Described as a large church surmounted by a square tower, although photographs dated c. 1906 show a featureless rectangular building without the tower (O'Hanlon and O'Leary 1907, vol. 1, 289-290). No surface evidence of church survives. Some uninscribed grave-markers visible in the surrounding graveyard (LA032-009001-). Described in the History of the Queen's County as 'Its church is shown as a large one on the Map of Leax and Ophaly, a short distance to the north of where the River Douglas falls into the River Barrow. It is called Graunge o managh or 'Farm of the Monks' on that map, and its church is shown surmounted by a square tower. The ruinous church of Grange, still to be seen, is near the castle (LA032-008001-) (O'Hanlon and O'Leary 1907, vol. 1, 289-290). The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Laois' (Dublin Stationery Office, 1995) compiled by P. David Sweetman, Olive Alcock and Bernie Moran. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload: 17 December 2007