Kilbonane Church (in Ruins) — Kilbonane

In a graveyard (KE057-078003-). The overgrown ruins of a rectangular church (21.4m E-W; 8m N-S). The walls (H c. 4m; T 1m) are of rubble sandstone bonded with lime mortar. The internal walls are rendered with lime mortar. The church is entered through a pointed door ope (Wth 1.12m) at the W end of the S wall. The door ope has a segmental arched embrasure (Wth 1.55m) and a rough stone voussoir. There are a pair of arched window embrasures (Wth 0.9m) in the E wall with two narrow pointed lights (Wth 0.12m; H 1.55m) of sandstone with an external rebate and chamfer. The upper portion of the S wall at the E end has collapsed. The remains of the splayed ingoing of a window with an adjacent wall-press is evident in the S wall. A rectangular window (c. 1.5m x 1.5m) is visible high up in the W gable. There is a narrow breach (Wth 0.8m) in the N wall at the W end. The interior is level with numerous grave-plots and headstones dating from the 19th century to the present day. This was the parish church of Kilbonane, recorded in 1841 as 'the church of Saint Benignus' (OSL, 196-7). According to local tradition, the church was thatched and burnt by the Cromwellian troops (ITA). The Minutes of the CKFC records a belfry on top of the W gable and at the E end the 'south wall projects and widens showing what appears to be a souterrain leading under it'. The SE corner of the church has collapsed outwards, depositing a mound of rubble which obscures an area up to 4m outside the SE corner. There are no visible remains of the possible souterrain (KE057-078004-). An ogham stone (KE057-078002-) formerly in the vault at the E end of the church has been moved to Coolmagort, Beaufort. Compiled by: Elizabeth Byrne, Ursula Egan and Sheila Ronan, Archaeological Survey Unit, University College, Cork. Date of upload: 31 January 2011