Kilmurry Church (in ruins) — Cill Mhuire (tc An Mhín Aird)

Kilmurry Church/Cill Mhuire: The location of the 13th century parish church of Minard (Cal Docs Ire, V, 297) cannot be identified with certainty. The church survived into the 16th century (TCD Ms 2158, 37) but was in ruins in 1756 (Smith, 71). It has been suggested that the original foundation stood in the townland of Aglish (KE054-032001-) but was subsequently removed to Kilmurry (Hickson 1888, 446). However, a local tradition recorded in 1848 suggests a mid-17th century date for the erection of the church at Aglish (Windele 1848, 465-7). The remains at Kilmurry are those of a rubble-built rectangular church, 11.2m x 6.6m externally. The walls, c 1m thick, are largely reduced to foundations and the interior is filled with rubble. The remains of an entrance are visible in the S wall; the head of a narrow pointed window of 15th/16th date is preserved in the adjacent farmyard. In 1841 the E gable stood almost intact; it was lit by a twin-light lancet window and there were 2 single-light windows at the E end of the N and S walls (OSL). The site lies on elevated ground overlooking Minard Bay and adjacent to Minard Castle (KE054-063----). See also CHURCHFIELD (830), DUAGH (834), KILLINEY (854), KILMALKEDAR (855), and KILSHANNIG (858). The above description is derived from J. Cuppage, ‘Corca Dhuibhne. Dingle Peninsula archaeological survey. Ballyferriter. Oidhreacht Chorca Dhuibhne’ (1986), no. 986. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload: 7 August 2013