Church (in ruins) — Morgans North

In NW quadrant of graveyard (LI010-03602-). Roofless ruin of rectangular church (17.5m E-W; 7.7m N-S) constructed of roughly-coursed mortared stonework; side walls stand to near full height but end gables reduced to height of side walls- they had been reduced to this height by 1840 (OSL vol. 1, 446-8). Structure recently repaired and re-pointed in places using concrete. Entrance door is S-of-centre in W wall; outer door surround recently rebuilt but described in 1840 as having round arch and missing jambs (ibid.); handing eye for door swivel on S side; rear doorway lintelled. Second doorway W-of-centre in N wall; this has also been recently rebuilt but described in 1840 as 'very much disfigured', though 'outer part' had a pointed arch (ibid.). There are five windows: near E and W ends of both N and S walls, and in centre of E wall. Slit window near W end of N wall is of recent construction as not mentioned in 1840 description of church (ibid.). The other four are single-light windows with splayed embrasures, missing their cover except N window which has round-arched light and lintelled embrasure, and W window in S wall which has flat-headed light; all light surrounds cut in limestone with external chamfer. Inside of E window has been turned into a shrine with statue of Our Lady behind glass screen. There is lintelled wall press at either end of E wall, and one under sill of both windows in S wall. On internal face of W wall are three corbels, 1.6m above present ground level. Flanking E window are two projecting flat-topped stones (projecting 0.3m; T 0.16m; Wth 0.42m). Interior of church clear of overgrowth and filled with 19th and 20th century burial plots. Former parish church of Dysert/Morgans (Westropp 1904-5, 394); according to Lewis (1837, 151) rebuilt by Franciscans from Askeaton (LI011-092---) in 1496, a date compatible with style of building. Anciently known as 'Teampolmuiregodann' (Fitzgerald and McGregor 1826, 358), which Lewis (ibid.) mistakenly interprets as signifying a Knights Templar foundation. Westropp recorded the following details about Dysert Muirdebair; 'in Ui Chonaill Gabrai (Mart. Doneg., 3 Nov., Cal. Oenghus). Disuirt Murdewar, 1201; Disert Mardun, 1302; Dissert Margeoin, 1336 (rental) ; Disert Mereogein, Muriogan, or Morgans, 1410 ; Morheim, 1591 (valor); Disert Meregin, 1615; Crag desert Morogan, 1645. It was first identified as Diseart Murdebair by Dr. Reeves. O'Donovan, who wrongly identified the latter with Dysert Aenghus, near Croom, gives Muirgeadain, 'a maritime spot,' for Morgans. The church was locally Temple Muireguidan, and had been "founded by Templars", and rebuilt by the Franciscans of Askeaton, 1498 (Lewis, ii., p. 392). Fabric - A late fifteenth-century church, 49 feet 9 inches [15.16m] by 21 feet 7 inches [6.57m] inside. The walls 11½ [3.5m] feet by 3 feet [0.9m]. The east and west gables are removed ; the east window is small and defaced ; the north door is defaced ; the south door round-headed; both have flat splay arches. The south window is defaced; the north ivied (O. S. L., 9, p. 446)' (Westropp 1904-5, 394). According to Begley (1906, 111) the church 'takes its name from St. Muirdebhair the wise, whose feast falls on the 3rd of November, according to the old calendars. The Felire of Aengus calls him a " synod's diadem." The Martyrology of Donegal at the same date has the following notice of him: " Muirdeabhair the wise of Disert Muirdebra in Ui Conaill Gabhra". The medieval church and castle of Morgans are depicted standing on the 1658 Down Survey map of Connello Barony (Hib. Reg.). Compiled by: Denis Power Revised by: Caimin O'Brien Date of revised upload: 3 October 2018