Church Grave Yard — Oakleypark

Stands in a graveyard (KD011-012006-) on the site of a probable early Christian monastery traditionally associated with St. Mochua, the only visible trace of which is part of the curving line of a possible early ecclesiastical enclosure (KD011-012004-). According to Bradley et al. (1986, vol. 2, 130-33), the medieval parish church is first referred to in the charters of Thomas de Hereford, granting the church of Kildroch to St. Thomas' Abbey, Dublin. One-third of the church's income was reserved for the support of the vicar, an arrangement which continued into the 16th c. The vicarage was valued at 43s in the ecclesiastical taxation of 1302-6. The royal visitation of 1615 noted that the church and chancel of Kildrought were in good repair. Drawn by Austin Cooper c. 1780 (Price 1942, pl. 1). The remains consist of the E-gable wall (H 7m) , and the grassed-over foundations of the N and S walls of a nave and chancel structure (dims. L 22.5m; Wth 7.6m). A rectangular fortified tower (dims. L 7.6m; Wth 4.6m) at W, with a stair turret projecting from its SW angle was extensively modified as an Aylmer family mausoleum. The nave appears to have been buttressed at E, on the N and S walls. The E gable has a large, three light, round headed window with transom switch line tracery, now represented by the jambs and mullion. Coopers drawing shows a vestry close to the SE corner. The nave is probably of 14 century date, to which the tower was added in the 15th/16th c. The modified tower's original E wall has been removed and re-built in the nave c. 4m to the E. The present entrance in the N wall is possibly original, although Cooper's drawing shows the entrance in the W wall, and three floors above a vault with parapet and narrow belfry, together with a battlemented stair turret. The structure was subsequently lowered and topped by modern crenelations. A large, 19th century, Connolly family mausoleum running perpendicularly N from the nave incorporates part of the nave's N wall. Compiled by: Gearóid Conroy Date of upload: 10 June 2011