Timahoe Abbey (in ruins) — Timahoe

St. Mochua, who died c. 657 founded an Early Christian monastery at Timahoe (Teach Mochua). The saint's feastday is commemorated on the 24th of December (Ó Riain 2011, 469). It was plundered and burnt in 919 and 1142 (Gwynn and Hadcock 1970, 45). In later medieval times, the O'Mores refounded the monastery, and in 1609 it was granted to Richard Cosby. The round tower (LA018-031005-) is the only surviving feature of the early foundation. It probably dates to the twelfth century, though its base may be earlier. Built of sandstone and limestone, it is six storeys high (H 29.6m) and is roofed with a conical cap (Barrow 1979, 135-9). No floors survive. It is renowned for its Romanesque doorway, visible at first floor level, which has four receding orders, in two pairs, and is finely decorated with human heads with intertwined hair. A window decorated in a similar style is visible at second floor level. Slit, square-headed and pointed windows are on the other floors. The fifteenth century church, to SE of tower, was transformed in the sixteenth century into a tower house (LA018-031006-) (Harbison 1970, 141), probably by one of the Cosbys. The only surviving feature of this church is a large arch (Wth 3.95m), possibly the chancel arch, which was blocked up and incorporated into the E wall of the castle. It is composed of punch-dressed chamfered limestone with evidence of diagonal tooling (Petrie 1845, 234-43; Crawford 1924, 31-42). The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Laois' (Dublin Stationery Office, 1995) compiled by P. David Sweetman, Olive Alcock and Bernie Moran. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload: 17 December 2007