Molahiffe Church (in rRuins) — Castlefarm

In a graveyard (KE048-036----), to the NE of the centre. The remains of the church comprise the E gable (L 6.9m; H 6m; T 1m) and the centre section of the S wall (L 5.2m: H 1.8m) with vaults on either side. The masonry consists of large blocks of limestone bonded with a lime mortar. The central E window consists of a single, round-headed light (H 1.45m; Wth 0.2m) surmounted by a sandstone surround. Some jambs of the original surround remain in situ. Internally the round-arched window embrasure (H c. 2.3m: Wth 1.6m) splays widely. Molahiffe is referred to in the Papal Taxation List of 1302-07 (Sweetman 1886, 296). The remains of the old parish church of Molahiffe is described as being in ruins in 1756 (Smith 1756, 39). By 1841, only the E gable and the mid-portion of the S wall (L 12ft [3.65m]; H 9ft [2.74m]) remained (O'Donovan 1983, 186). Molahiffe Castle (KE048-039----) is c. 100m to the N. (CDAS; O'Hare 2000, 94-6) Church ruins described in 1841 as follows; 'No part of the old church of this parish now remains but the east gable and a fragment of the middle part of the south wall twelve feet long and nine feet high. The walls are three feet two inches in thickness and built of large blocks of limestone cemented with lime and sand mortar. The east window remains in good preservation; it is semi-circular headed on both sides and formed of chiselled brown sandstone excepting the internal arch which is of small hammered stones. It measures on the inside nine feet in height and five feet six inches in width, and on the outside where it is four feet from the level of the ground four feet ten inches in height and seven and a half inches in width. This church is of considerable antiquity, and is, in all probability, the Domhnach Mór Maighe Laithimh of the old writers. It stands in a large grave yard, which is the common cemetery of the neighbourhood' (O'Donovan 1983, 186) See attached plan of church and graveyard courtesy of Stephen Hourihane Compiled by: Elizabeth Byrne, Ursula Egan and Sheila Ronan, Archaeological Survey Unit, University College, Cork. Date of upload: 31 January 2011