Church in Stradbally North

Situated in E quadrant of Castleconnell graveyard, 15m E of the 19th century C of I church are the poorly preserved remains of the medieval parish church of Castleconnell. All that survives is a short section of the E end of the S wall (L 6.8m; H 2.5m; Wall T 0.85m) of the church and partial return of the E gable (L 1.6m). A broken out window embrasure is visible in upstanding section of S wall with pointed piscina (H 0.68m x Wth 0.4m x D 0.4m) to E close to SE angle of church. No wall footings of church visible elsewhere as this area is covered with post-1700 memorials. A late 16th/early 17th century round-arched doorway with punch dressed jambs and hood-moulding above has been inserted into the W gable of the C of I church where it is now used as the main doorway into this church. The jambs of the doorway display decorative punch dressing in a chequerboard fashion. The church is depicted on the 17th century Down Survey map of Clanwilliam Barony (Hib. Reg.) on the parish map of Stradbally (NLI, MS 718). Westropp (1904-5, 435-6) gives the following details about Castleconnell Church; 'A parish in Clanwilliam. The church is called Idumyn, 1302; Castleconnell, alias Stradbally, alias Capella de I'dum, 1615; Idumyn, alias Stradbally rectory, impropriate to the Earl of Ormond, 1633. Donald O'Mullyyn was Vicar of Castra Conayng, 1412. The I. C. church is on the old site, as shown in 1657 (D.S. (A), 2, 15). Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien Date of upload: 28 September 2018