Church, Grave Yard — Brigown

In Mitchelstown, at N end of graveyard, overlooking George Street to N. C of I parish church of Brigown. Built of random-rubble limestone with cut-stone detail; entrance front to N of coursed ashlar. Nave (long axis N-S) lit by four wide pointed window in side walls; slender buttress between each window on external face. Transepts at S end with corner buttresses; pinnacles atop gables; internally transepts used as store rooms/vestry. Gabled transept-like projections at N end of nave makes overall plan H-shaped. Chancel to S built of random-rubble with some reused ashlar. Entrance front (N) has central projecting 2-storey embattled tower with ribbed spire and corner pinnacles. Inscribed stone over pointed door in tower reads 'This Church was rebuilt A.D.1830/ By a grant from the Board of First Fruits and a gift of 500£ by the Earl of Kingston/Robt. Disney-Rector/ The Hon Rob King, John Arnold Church Wardens J & G. R. Pain Architects'. Church built in 1801 by Countess of Kingston, but rebuilt twice by 1805 (Cole 1903, 163). Enlarged in 1830 and spire added (Power 1996, 40). Extensive improvements made in 1900s (Cole, ibid.). Entrance facade enclosed by wall topped with iron railing, modern gateway. Rectangular graveyard (c. 155m N-S; c. 50m E-W) to rear enclosed by stone wall; headstones dated from 19th century to present day, with some chest tombs and vaults. 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