Derryvillane Church (in Ruins) — Derryvillane

In centre of graveyard (14573). Ruinous rectangular church (int. c. 15m E-W; int. 6.65m N-S); walls ivy clad, east end of interior densely overgrown. West gable appears to stand to full height (under ivy mantle) as does most of N wall; S wall has wide gap in centre (Wth 4m) and is missing E end; area of E wall obscured by overgrowth but wall appears to be entirely fallen- described by Power (1932, 63) as 'prostrate'. South wall has cut-limestone corbel, perhaps to support loft, 1.8m from W end. Lying S of gap is cut-limestone ogee-head for window light. North wall has doorway (Wth 0.9m) near W end, only inside edges of which survive; described by Windele in 1850s (Grove White 1905-25, vol. 3, 15) as 'plain unornamented ope, with a flat lintel'. West gable has central window with single ogee-headed light, set high up on wall. Gable otherwise obscured but photograph of c. 1914 (Moore 1914, 205) shows remains of bellcot atop gable and limestone coping stones similar to those at Carrigdownane (14552), Aghacross (14416) and Ballydeloughy (14391); photograph also shows carved human face on 'a cut caveto stone' at angle of gable (Grove White ibid.). Remains of parish church of Derryvillane; probably late medieval in date. Rector for church mentioned in 1503 (MacCotter and Nicholls 1996, 241); church reported 'in repair' in 1615, abandoned by 1694 (Brady 1863, vol. 2, 181). A church here listed in Papal Taxation of 1291 (ibid.). 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