Church (in ruins)

Situated on a gentle S-facing slope at the NW corner of a small rectangular graveyard (dims. c. 20m E-W; c. 20m N-S). This is the parish church of Islandikane which was a rectory of the Knights Hospitallers of Kilbarry (WA017-003001-) in 1541 and is described as in ruins by 1615 (Anon. 1902, 113; Nolan 1984, 47). It is an undifferentiated structure (ext. dims. 17.8m E-W; 7.45m N-S) surviving almost complete with quoins, and a slight base-batter on the W and S walls. There are destroyed entrances towards the W end of the N and S walls, and a petal-decorated piscina in a pointed aumbry in the S wall. There is a large E window with smaller windows in the W gable and towards the E end of the N and S walls, all of which are destroyed. (Power 1895b, 138-9) Anon. (1902) Documents illustrating the history of Waterford: 1 - The Protestant diocese of Waterford in 1615. WAJ 8, 103-19. Nolan, T. (1984) Listing of Monastic possessions in Waterford, c. 1540. Decies, No. 26, 45-51. Power, Rev. P. (1895b) The ancient ruined churches of Waterford. WAJ. 1, 133-41, 152-72; 247-53. The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Waterford' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1999). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Compiled by: Michael Moore Date of upload/revision: 27 May 2011

The church at Islandikane South was built by the Knights Hospitallers of Kilbarry and dates to the medieval period, likely the 13th or 14th century. It is a small, ruined parish church, reflecting the architectural style of the era, and its location within a defined graveyard suggests it served as a focal point for local Christian worship and burial.