Church (in Ruins) — Agharra

On a gentle SE-facing slope, within the E half of a graveyard (LF024-007002-). In 1593 John Lye was granted a 21 year lease of the 'church of Agherie' (Nicholls 1994, vol. 3, 218). Depicted on an early 17th-century map of Shrule barony (BL, Cotton MS Augustus I.ii.26) as the church of 'Lissevarrow'. Two phases of construction are evident in this church (ext. dims. 18.15m E-W; 7m N-S). The earlier phase dates to the early medieval period and comprises the W half of the church (ext. dims. 9.85m E-W; wall T 0.85m) where cyclopean masonry, similar in style to the churches at Ardagh (LF019-050001-) and Cloondara (LF013-018----), is evident. Access is gained via a lintelled doorway in the W gable. High up in the N and S walls are broken out windows. The E window has been blocked up and a doorway that was subsequently inserted into the wall gives access to a late-medieval extension (L 8.3m; wall T 0.95m) that must have served as a chancel. Its E gable wall has a marked base-batter and contains a single-light, 16th-century window. In the S wall, close to the E gable, are two aumbries and a small, flat-headed, single-light window. In the N wall, at the W end of chancel, a relieving arch indicates the former presence of a doorway that was subsequently blocked up. (ITA Survey 1944; Leask 1955, vol. 1, 58) Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien Date of upload: 4 June 2013