Old Church (ruin)

Situated in a slight N-S fold in a low-lying landscape. A church at Kilmurry is indicated on church land in a survey dating to 1591 where it is described as ‘The T(emple) of Kiluore’ (Shirley 1879, 358; Leslie 1929, 176, 289), and it is described in italic lettering as ‘Old Church ruin’ on the 1834 edition of the OS 6-inch map. It may have been a chapel of ease dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary as the parish church of Donaghmoyne (MO028-116001-) is c. 5km to the SW (McKenna 1920, 1, 391). The foundations and the SW gable wall (H c. 3m; T 1m) of a stone and mortar rectangular structure (int. dims 17.5m NE-SW; 6m NW-SE) survive. A low plinth (2.5m x 0.5m) abuts the wall at the S corner. There is no visible entrance. Immediately to the NW and parallel to this structure are traces of a second, slightly smaller, rectangular building (dims 11m plus NE-SW; Wth 4m NW-SE). There is no evidence of an enclosure or burial. The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Monaghan' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1986). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Revised by: Michael Moore Date of revision: 8 December 2017