Church in Garrannaguilly

In a clearing, on the W-facing slopes of a hill, surrounded by forestry. According to Carrigan (1905, vol. 2, 101-2), in Garranagully townland, ‘High up on the slope of Garranagully hill, there is a field called, in English, the “Churchyard.” And the “Church-field;” and, in Irish, “Shanakill,” i.e., the old church. The church [KK005-062002-], which must have been of the earliest times, stood here within a rectangular enclosure 128ft. [39m] by 98ft. [30m]. Its foundation, though almost worn away, still remain adjoining the eastern fence of the enclosure, and show it to have been 30ft. [9m] in length from east to west, and 17½ft. [5.3m] wide. Immediately to the south of this enclosure, there is another enclosure [KK005-062004-] somewhat smaller, within which traces of foundations [KK005-062003-], perhaps of a monastery, cell, or priest’s house, are also still apparent’. These features are described in more detail in Carrigan’s manuscript notes (unpublished), as, ‘two enclosures beside each other and parallel to each other the fence of the field forming one of the sides of both. The northern enclosure [KK005-062001-], and the more important in every way is 46yds [42m] N to S by 35yds [32m] E to West; the rampart and fosse very distinct, the rampart or fence being a few feet high from the bottom of trench or fosse: a little rise like a mound occupies a portion of enclosure as if it were remains of fallen mud walls. The enclosure [KK005-062004-] to south is also 35yds [32m] E to W and is about 25yds [c. 23m] N to S: fence and fosse not so distinct as in the other. The spot commands a most extensive view’. The clearing is densely overgrown with brambles which completely obscure the monuments. Compiled by: Jean Farrelly Date of upload: 22 May 2017