Church in Townplots

In Kinsale; C of I parish church of St. Multose, 'one of the few medieval parish churches in Ireland still in use' (Leask 1966, vol. 2, 149-50). Rectangular nave and chancel, once separated by a chancel arch taken down in 1730 (Darling 1895, 16). Nave aisled; N aisle continues to near end of chancel; transept to N in line with easternmost bay of nave. Tower rises over W end of N aisle. On S side of nave aisle, fragmentary remains of 16th century 'Galway Chapel'. Though much altered, church remains, according to Leask (ibid) 'in extent and plan, as when first built in the early thirteenth century'. He dates this early phase 'on the evidence of one transitional pointed window-head' (ibid), rebuilt over door in N wall of tower. However, group of three lancets in W wall are 'apparently of mid-century (i.e. 13th) date', otherwise the windows are 'less certainly dateable'. Church much altered 1730 and again 1759-60, but major renovations, including replacing N nave and chancel arcade and complete re-roofing, took place 1835-7; 'sweeping alterations' again made 1856-8 (Darling ibid, 16-9). Chancel given new ceiling in 1951 (Garner 1980, 11). During re-flooring of nave in 1858 many 'stone coffins' were found 'made of two flags placed parallel, with one at head and another at feet; a series of thin slabs over all for a cover'; burials were thought to be 'ecclesiastics' from the 'ornaments found with some of them' (Darling ibid.,19-20). Other items of interest include rectangular font with spiral shaft; statue of cleric with pastoral staff in niche over W door. Church also contains an interesting collection of 16th, 17th and 18th century grave slabs, memorials and plaques (Darling ibid, 27-43; Garner ibid, 12); including tombstone of Jacobus Galwey dated 1627 (rubbing Caulfield & Darling 1895-7, facing 47); tombstone of William Galwey dated 1628 (rubbing ibid, facing 46); and monuments to Katherine Percival (dated 1682) and Robert and Helena Southwell (dated 1679), this latter has 'an unusual sarcophagus surmounted by an urn' (Potterton 1975, 90). The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Cork. Volume 2: East and South Cork' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1994). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload/revision: 14 January 2009