Church (in Ruins) — Forenaghts Great

According to Synnott (1899-1902, 455-6), in 1210, the church and its tithes were granted by Richard de Lesse to the Abbey of St. Thomas, in Dublin, and Furness was subsequently mentioned as being a parish church in the mid-17th c. Stabilised in 1968 by the OPW, the church is a National Monument (No. 394) in State care. Stands in a disused graveyard (KD019-024002-) on the landscaped grounds of Furness House. A possible late-12th century, rectangular structure of roughly coursed limestone flags (av. wall T 0.9m), comprises a nave (dims. L 9.8m E-W; Wth 5.6m) and chancel (dims. L 5.8m E-W; Wth 4m), linked by a round chancel-arch of tufa. The nave and chancel are, however, not bonded, suggesting the possibility of a pre-Norman structure having been enlarged. There are opposing round-arched doorways to W of centre in the N and S walls of the nave which is lit by opposed narrow lights, which are square-headed externally, with a wide internal splay and round head. The W gable is pierced by three graduated lancets. The chancel has similarly opposed lights as the nave, close to the E gable, which contains a double, round-headed window with rear splay. There is a piscine in the S wall. The Nevill family vault lies under the chancel and was accessed via steps from the nave. The walls stand to virtually full height and retain some plaster, while all quoins and window and door surrounds are of tufa. Synnott (1969, 457-8, 465-72) records the finding of glazed tiles and slates within the chancel, suggesting renovation in the 17th c. The nave contains a possible early Christian cross-slab (KD019-024004-) and a granite font (KD019-024004-). (Herity 2002, 23 (66); Murphy 1896-9, 452-3; Mayo, the Earl of, 1899-1902, 57-8; Price 1935-45, 197; Leask 1960, 149; Killanin and Duignan 1967, 384; Harbison 1975, 122) Compiled by: Gearóid Conroy Date of upload: 10 June 2011