Beagh Church (in ruins) — Beagh

In graveyard (LI003-00302-) just SW of centre. Rectangular church (19.18m E-W; 8.75m N-S) built of uncoursed limestone in a lime mortar with large dressed limestone quoins; the walls have a distinct base batter. The structure has recently been heavily repaired and re-pointed using concrete, and entire length of S wall has been rebuilt on footing of original wall, and the upper portion of N wall is also recent. Only original ope is central E window though its embrasure its head and base are rebuilt in concrete. It has a double ogee-headed light with recessed spandrels and a plain hood moulding. A rebuilt window in S wall uses an original ogee-headed light. Interior under gravel surface, with recent grave plot in NW corner. A recently built stone altar stands just N-of-centre. Atop W gable is base of a bellcote. In 1840 the south wall was intact and contained a window with a single ogee-headed light and a doorway with a two centred pointed arch surround missing its lower jamb stones and framed outside by a shallow rectangular recess (OSL vol. 2, 1-2); also at this stage the walls were topped by a parapet described as between three feet and eighteen inches [1.37m] high (ibid.). Ruin of parish church of Iveruss or Beagh (Westropp 1904-5, 388-9) built in 15th/16th century. Beagh Church was described in 1840 as following; ‘The parish of Iverus. The name of this parish is not of ecclesiastical origin but borrowed from that of an ancient Irish tribe located in this parish. In the townland of Beagh are the ruins of an old church, called Beagh Church, of which the walls are almost perfect with the exception of the southern part of the east gable, which is slightly injured, particularly on the inside. It is 57 ft. [17.37m] long by 22 ft. [6.7m] in breadth. On the middle of the E gable, about 5 ft. [1.5m] from the ground, there is a window in two parts, which on the outside is about 7 feet [2.13m] high, by 1 ft. 11in. [0.58m] each part being about 8¾ inches [0.22m] in width. On the inside it is much wider and has a very flat arch on the upper part. It is framed of grey limestone similar to that used in the walls. On the south side wall 7 ft. from the E gable there is a window 4 ft. [1.21m] high by 6 in. [0.15m] on the outside, where it is shaped similarly to one of the division of the above window. On the inside it is square and considerably wider. The doorway is on this wall, at the distance of 19 feet from the west gable. It is about 7 ft. [2.13m] high by 3½ feet [1m] in breadth; from (a) to (b) is 6 ft. 4 in. [1.93m] in breadth. This doorway enters the wall 11 inches [0.28m]. The west gable and the north side wall are featureless. The walls, which are parapeted, are about 13½ ft. [4m] in height, the parapet being in some places 3 ft. [0.9m] and in other about 18 inches [0.45m]. They are 3 ft. [0.9m] in thickness and built of small and large stones, with lime and sand mortar. The west gable and a little of the side walls adjoining it are covered with ivy. The graveyard attached to this church is still in use. No Patron day or saint is remembered in this parish‘ (OSL Vol. 2, 1-3). See attached drawing of east window and doorway taken from Ordnance Survey Letters of 1840. Compiled by: Denis Power Revised by; Caimin O'Brien Date of revised upload: 1 October 2018