Church in Castlehyde East

In S half of graveyard (14557), on N edge of Castle Hyde (14864) demesne. Vacant remains of former C of I parish church of Litter. Church consists of rectangular nave (long axis E-W), with ornate entrance front added at W end. Nave lit by four wide pointed window opes in N and S wall, with Y-tracery; slender buttresses between bays; similar E window. Entrance front consists of central 3-storey tower flanked by 1-storey gable-ended projections; finely-carved stone detail. Tower has pointed door ope on ground floor; rises as a square tower on 1st floor, topped by embattled octagonal tower on 2nd floor, and surmounted by a spire. Lewis (1837, vol. 2, 289) refers to 'interior...embellished with a richly groined ceiling'; Grove White (1905-25, vol. 2, 99) suggests it was roofed with copper plates; present structure has slate roof, supported internally by A-framed timbers. Many of the internal fittings removed; finely carved wooden gallery at W end and memorial plaques on walls survive. Beech lined walk through gardens of Castle Hyde house leads to church. Smith (1750, vol. 1, 349) described parish church here as in good repair. Lewis (ibid.) describes church as a handsome structure with a tower and spire built in 1812, on site of earlier church, and since much improved by G.R. Pain. Brady (1863, vol. 2, 316) states it was enlarged in 1812. Church indicated on 1842 OS 6-inch map as L-shaped, with E end of nave roofless. Ornate W entrance front is Pain's 'improvements' of 1812 (Lewis 1837, vol. 2, 289; Mould 1991, 139). One of three possible locations (see 14471) for site of medieval parish church of Litter. 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