Killeen Church (in Ruins) — Copsetown

Towards SE corner of graveyard (14572). Ruin of rectangular church (17.4m ENE-WSW; 7.3m NNW-SSE), built of limestone rubble, on ground sloping noticeably down to E. Interior of church densely overgrown. Upper part of E gable heavily ivy-clad; central window has rectangular light divided by mullion and transom. Under window is entrance to burial crypt inserted into E end of church, with wrought iron gate. South and N walls are higher to E (H c. 2m) than to W (H c. 1.4m) due to fall in ground, upper courses ivy-clad, massive boulders used in walling at W end. West gable (max. H 2.5m) had central doorway; door surround has cut-stone jambs supporting lintel which is re-used head of two-light mullioned window of late-medieval type. According to local information (Power 1932, 117-8), stones from church were used to build nearby railway bridge. Landowner, Colonel Beare, made crypt under E end of church and was buried there in 1850 (Grove White 1905-25, vol. 2, 255); it is likely that he also rebuilt parts of church. Probably remains of Dromdowney parish church, though 1842 OS 6-inch map shows Copsetown townland outside N boundary of Dromdowney and in Ballyclogh parish. Dromdowney church reported 'in ruins' in 1615 (Brady 1863, vol. 2, 28). 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