Church (in ruins) — Carrigafoyle

Church (in ruins). This church is situated on slightly elevated land to the W of Carrigafoyle Castle (KE002-045----). It has a rectangular shape measuring 20.3m x 8.2m externally, with walls 1m thick. On the N wall, 2.8m from the W gable, there is a narrow slit window formed of cut limestone and measuring .2m x .8m. There is a doorway in this wall, 7.5m from the W gable, which is formed of cut limestone in the pointed style; it measures 1m wide and 2.2m at its highest point. The S wall also contains a doorway, 6.2m from the W gable. Formed of cut limestone in the pointed style, it measures 1.2m in width and 2.2m at its highest point. In the interior of the S doorway are the remains of a water stoup. The S wall contains four windows in the pointed style and formed of cut limestone. The E gable contains one window of cut limestone in the pointed style. It was divided into two lights by a stone mullion, but this feature exists no longer. The W gable contains a quadrangular window of cut limestone, measuring .2m x 1.3m. The W gable also contains a small, now-disfigured window which is known as a 'leper hole'. The W gable would appear to be divided into two storeys. This second storey could have been the sacristy, where the vestments and vessels were kept. There would also appear to have been a belfry leading from the top of the W gable. An enclosure (KE002-043002-) would appear to extend out of the S wall near the W gable and from the E gable. The former travels for 22m before curving S and then W. A 7.6m wide gap can be noted to the S. This enclosure shows up quite clearly on aerial photographs. It was possibly a parish church for the O'Connor Kerry clan. The construction of this church would appear to be coeval with the nearby castle (KE002-045----), thus giving it a 15th century date. See attached plan of Carrigafoyle Church taken from North Kerry Archaeological Survey (Toal 1995, 237). The above description is derived from C. Toal, ‘North Kerry Archaeological Survey’. Dingle. Brandon in association with FAS Training and Employment Authority (1995), no. 927. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload: 3 August 2013