Church (in Ruins) — Churchtown (orrery and Kilmore By.)

In centre of graveyard (14561). Fragmentary ivy-grown remains of church which appears to have consisted of nave (16.7m E-W; 9.65m N-S) and chancel (c. 9.6m E-W: c. 7m N-S). Chancel now reduced to overgrown, slightly-raised area. Area of chancel arch now mound of rubble; Grove White (1905-25, vol. 2, opp. 184) has photograph of chancel arch, showing low, bluntly pointed arch with narrow uncut voussoirs. West wall of nave survives only at foundation level. South wall reduced to lower courses except short central section (max. int. H 2.55m). East half of N wall survives to near full height (H c. 4m) but otherwise much ruined. Both side walls of nave lined internally by high, bluntly pointed blank arcading (D 0.55m; Wth 3.6m; H 2.75m), separated by plain piers (Wth 0.8m); parts of three arches survive on each wall, the easternmost springing from E end wall of nave; not clear whether arcading continued further to W though space for a fourth. Window and door embrasures are set into rear wall of arcading. In S wall second bay of arcade from E, has splayed and lintelled window embrasure. East side of third bay from E is fragmentary, but appears to have accommodate doorway (Wth 1.38m); photo of 1906 (ibid.) shows it covered by segmental arch. Easternmost arch in N wall contains fragment of splayed window embrasure. Second bay of arcade from E has been blocked up to take mural plaque (18th/19th century?), the base of which survives. Chest tomb blocks what survives of third arched recess. Broken chest tomb occupies SW corner of nave; according to Grove White (ibid., 183) one of these tombs dates to 1722. Immediately outside S wall of church is cut-stone fragment from window surround: sill of light with central mullion. Remains of parish church of Bruhenny. Report of 1615 describes nave 'in repair', chancel 'in ruins', abandoned by 1694 (Brady 1863, vol. 2, 73). A church listed in Papal Taxation of 1291 (ibid., 72). 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