Tulla Church (in ruins) — Tulla (tulla Upper By.)

On top of a hillock known locally as Tulla Hill, at the E edge of the village, with extensive views across rolling pasture in all directions. Roughly at the centre of an ecclesiastical enclosure (CL035- 022001-), within a historic graveyard (CL035-022004-), immediately adjacent to S of the site of a church (CL035-022002-) and to the E of the site of a castle (CL035-022005-). A roofless church in good condition, built 1702 and abandoned 1816, having conservation works c. 2007. The main structure is rectangular in plan and constructed of random rubble limestone defined by full-height N, E and S-walls in a good state of preservation and the low remains of the W-wall. The N-wall (H c. 4.0m; T 0.71m) is featureless. The S-wall (H c. 4.0m; T 0.68m) is pierced by three equal sized, tall, round-headed window openings (int. Wth 2.06m; ext. Wth 1.47m; H 2.72m) which have selected rubble stone voussoirs. The E-gable (T 0.54m) survives to a consolidated apex and is adjoined by a lower and narrower projecting gable, which appears to be a shallow chancel. The low remains of the W-wall (max. H 2m; T 0.73m) have been consolidated during recent conservation works and the doorway (Wth 1.33m) is in the centre. The quoins are formed by heavy blocks of channel cut limestone ashlar, some of which have been replaced with good quality cut limestone replicas. The symbol of a cherub is etched into the S-face of one of the SW quoins and is assumed to be a mason’s mark. Portions of a plain-run moulding serve as the remains of an eaves course to the N and S-walls. The wall tops have been consolidated and the NW and SW corners have been rebuilt in part. The N and S-walls tops have been sealed with lead flashing and mortared over. The E-gable and remains of W-wall have been sealed with mortar. Mortar is missing from base of all walls consistently, where it appears to have been washed out at ground level. The projecting gable to E is of similar construction, having channelled ashlar quoins to NE and SE corners and a plain-run moulded eaves course. It has recently been re-roofed using natural slate and the roof-line flashed with lead, where it adjoins the main E-gable. The voussoirs and jamb stones defining the E-window opening are heavy channelled ashlar examples, similar to the quoin stones. Approximately half of these have been replaced with good quality cut limestone replicas. The masonry below the E-window has been rebuilt. Tombs and graves abut the church directly to N and S. The interior is a rectangular area (dims. 15.43m E-W; 6.86m N-S) with a shallow chancel adjoining to E. The N-wall is blank except for an elaborate plaque erected by John Westropp 1764 and dedicated to Morony, at the E end. (A fragment of the cornice of this tomb is broken and can be found within a collection of other architectural fragments, at E-side of graveyard (CL035-022004-)). The window embrasures (Wth 2.06m; D 0.65m) in the S-wall have widely splayed in-goings and sills of Liscannor slate. The main E-wall is pierced by a chancel arch (Wth 3.65m), which is round-headed with straight in-goings. A cut limestone plinth, having the remains of a wrought-iron rail with cast-iron piers, separate the nave and chancel. The shallow chancel (3.65m N-S; 3.25m E-W) is flanked either side by an elaborate wall plaque and has a brick barrel-vaulted roof. The plaques are dedicated to Browne 1717 (to S) and O’Callaghan 1824 (to N). The round-headed E-window (Wth 2.0m; D 0.54m) has gently splayed in-goings and a sill of Liscannor slate. Parts of the embrasure have been repaired, particularly the in-goings. The W doorway embrasure (Wth 1.9m) splays inwards to the exterior, in contrast with the window embrasures. The interior of the nave is generally level and grass-covered, having six 20th century headstones and four very worn flat graveslabs at the chancel end, assumed to be of 19th century date. The chancel is open, yet small and the floor is level and earthen. According to Myles (2009, 58, no. 257), the entrance to a vault was discovered during excavations (Licence No. 05E0405) and appeared to indicate that it was located toward the chancel. The following images have been uploaded: CL035-022003-_01.jpg From E. General view of early 18th century church (CL035-022003-) within graveyard (CL035-022004-). CL035-022003-_02.jpg From S. Exterior of S-wall. CL035-022003-_03.jpg From NNE. Shallow chancel flashed (with lead) where adjoining E-gable proper, having moulded eaves course and covered by natural slate during recent conservation works. Compiled by: Mary Tunney and Alison McQueen Date of upload: 9 January 2018