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On a commanding rise at the SW end of Kilchreest village. This rectangular medieval church (ext. dims. 20.85m E-W; 6.9m N-S) is fairly well-preserved but is overgrown with ivy. Both gable walls survive intact but the mid-sections of the side-walls (L c. 10.5m) have collapsed. The W gable (wall T 1.05-1.1m), which is more substantial than the other walls, extends slightly (c. 30m) beyond the side-walls (wall T 0.85m) and has a high base-batter. It bears a single bellcote at its apex. No trace of the original doorway survives. The main architectural features include a two-light ogee-headed window in the E gable, a single-light ogee-headed one (placed off-centre) in the W gable, various flat-headed and shoulder-arched single-lights at the E and W ends of the S side-wall, and at E end of the N side-wall. There is also a small wall recess at the E end of the S side-wall. A corbel in the SW corner suggests the former presence of a loft at this end. A number of modern burials occupy the interior of the church. The OS Letters (O’Flanagan 1927, Vol. 2, 43) noted that the dedication of the church to Christ - 'Cill Chríost' was very unusual as most churches were dedicated to 'their own country saints'. (Fahey 1893, 435-6; 43)
Compiled by: Galway Archaeological Survey, UCG
Date of upload: 20 February 2020
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