Old RC Chapel

In SE corner of Buttevant town. Forming part of S boundary wall of Convent of Mercy graveyard is older wall (L 18m; max. H 2.8m; T 1m). In centre of older wall is blocked window ope, upper part missing; inside edge of embrasure (Wth 1.3m; min. H 1.2m) formed of cut-limestone blocks. This may be all that remains of 'small trefoil-headed two-light window' noted by Brash (1852a, 87). This identified by Brash (1852a, 87) as probably remains of structure described by Smith (1750, vol. 1, 314) as 'part of another ruin' near the Franciscan friary (14382) and 'said to have been a nunnery, dedicated to St Owen; or, according to others, St John the Baptist' (ibid.); Gwynn and Hadcock (1988, 326) note Smith's reference but state that 'no supporting evidence for a nunnery at Buttevant has been found.' This wall might also be remains of RC chapel (14734). The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Cork. Volume 4: North Cork' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 2000). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload/revision: 14 January 2009