Church (in ruins) — Pallas (coonagh By.)

The medieval church of Pallas Grean was described in the Urban Survey of Limerick as following; 'The church was in ruins when Thomas Dinely sketched it in 1680 (Westropp 1904-5, 444-5) but now only fragments of the north and east walls remain in a sub-rectangular graveyard [LI024-072005-]. There is a short section of the return of the south chancel wall and a grass covered mound of stones at the west end probably indicates the site of the west wall. It was built of roughly coursed rubble limestone and consisted of a nave and chancel; the chancel being narrower than the nave. The maximum height of the walls is c. 5m. The walls are featureless with the exception of a possible splay of a window in the north wall. The presence of an elaborate multi-moulded doorway and a traceried window is attested by two stones used as gravemarkers to the north and north-east of the church. Drainage chutes have also been used as grave-markers' (Bradley et. al. 1989, 214). In 1840 the Ordnance Survey recorded the following about Pallasgreen church; 'In the W. end of this village is the ruin of the Established Church, in being until 1839 when the roof was taken of it to permit it undergo repair. But it is considered that a new Church will be erected in Newpallas, and this ruinous one condemned' (OSNB, 792). Westropp (1904-5, 444-5) recorded the following details on Pallas Grean; ‘A parish in Coonagh. Grian, in Aradhac, c. 450 ("Trip. Life," p. 203); Grian, 914 (A.F.M.); Gren manor granted to the Bishop of Emly, 1216; granted to Maurice Fitzgerald, the justiciary, 1233, and a fair established, 1234 (C.S.P.I., 962 ,715 ,2045 ,2183); Grena church and deanery, 1302. Agnes de Valence was deprived of Estgrene, worth 10s., by Tatheg O'Brien, but got damages from T. de Clare in 1287 (Mem. R., 1306). In 1318, Galfrid Harold, rector of Grene, rescued a prisoner, and was tried for it (Plea R. 123 of xi Ed. II, m. 34) ; and John, Earl of Kildare, called on the Abbot of Wethney to appoint a proper parson to the vacant church (ib., m. 18). Greane, 1586 (Peyton, p. 1); Green church, down, chancel repaired, 1615. Site - The modern I. C. church is on the old site. Thomas Dyneley, in 1680, gives a view of the church. He shows a nearly levelled wing, with a round-headed door, and double-light window in the low side wall; to the right is the chancel, in repair; near the west end is a north door, with a pointed arch, and ornate hood and buttress, with crocketed finials; next this are a stepped buttress and two-light window, a cross-like slit, and a narrow slit near the east end'. Present remains are rectangular in plan (internal dims. 7m N-S; 17m E-W) with small rectangular addition at W-end. N-wall has fallen, only footings traceable at E-end of N-wall. E-wall (1m) completely grassed over. S-wall is partially collapsed. W-wall is in reasonable condition. Walls (T 0.65m) constructed of stone and mortar. Gravestones within interior and surrounding the church. The clearance material from graves (eg old wreaths; weeds etc.) have been dumped within small rectangular addition on W-end of church and are grassed over. See attached 1681 drawing of church by Thomas Dineley from NLI, MS 392 Compiled by: Alison McQueen and Vera Rahilly Revised by: Caimin O'Brien Date of revised upload: 04 January 2019