R. C. Chapel

Located towards the top of the E-facing slope of a N-S drumlin ridge in Cloone village. The original Roman Catholic church of St Mary’s at Cloone continued in use until the present St Mary’s was consecrated in 1970. The ruin of the older structure partially survived almost complete (H c. 7m) with red-brick surrounds at some openings into the 1990s (SMR file). It was conserved by 1993 when all walls were reduced to the basal courses (Wth 0.6-0.7m; H c. 0.3m), and its plan of a T-shaped structure is now clear. This consists of a N-S transept (ext. dims 35.5m N-S; 8.5m E-W) with the nave (ext. dims 8.7m E-W; 8.5m N-S) projecting E from it. The only entrance is a gap (Wth 1.7m) in the S wall of the nave. There is a projection (int. dims c. 7m N-S; 2.1m E-W) at the centre of the W wall for the altar with the outline of the sacristy just S of this. The church is within a small graveyard where the transom of the high cross (LE033-008003-) is displayed, but it is also probably on the site of the medieval parish church of Cloone (CL033-008004-). The above description is derived from 'The Archaeological Inventory of County Leitrim' compiled by Michael J. Moore (Dublin: Stationery Office, 2003). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Compiled by: Michael Moore Date of upload: 23 September 2008 Amended: 6 December, 2019

R. C. Chapel, Cloone was originally built as St Mary’s Roman Catholic church, likely in the 19th century, and continued in use until replaced by the current church in 1970; its location on a drumlin ridge reflects the historical and religious significance of the site in the Cloone community.