Clonagh Church (in ruins) — Clonagh

Poorly preserved remains of a nave and chancel church with 19th century Madigan family mausoleum built onto E gable. Church now covered in ivy which makes detailed examination of the medieval fabric impossible. Church ruins described in 1840 the church as following; 'It consisted of a nave and choir, but it is now in so ruinous a state as not to merit minute description. All its features are destroyed except the choir arch, which shows that the building is not very old though a part of the north wall of the nave seems to indicate considerable antiquity. The west gable is destroyed down to the foundation, but the east and middle gables are in good preservation. In the same Townland is situated a Holy Well called after St. Kieran of Clonmacnoise in honor of whom a "Pattern" was annually held here on the 9th of September' (OSL 48). Westropp (1904-5, 400) recorded the following details on Clonagh; ‘Cluonech, 1201. Bishop Robert, and Martin, the chaplain of Clounath, made grants 1252 and 1257 (B.B.L., xiii., xviii.). Clonagh, 1302; Cloainech, 1418; Clounach, and Clonagh, ruinous, 1615 b. Fabric - The east and middle gables, and part of the north wall alone stood in 1840, and appeared to be late. St. Kieran's Well [LI028-067----], with a pattern, on September 9th, stood near the ruin (O.S.L. 9, p. 163). Begley (1906, 112) described the site as '(Cluianeach, i.e., insular meadow of horses). The church is built on an elevated position, and in former times the land around it used to be flooded, which accounts for the first part of the name. It consists of a nave and choir, the walls of the former indicate great age, but the choir arch is modern and may have been added on after the coming of the Normans. Near this church is a holy well dedicated to St. Ciaran of Clonmacnoise, whose feast is still kept on the 9th of September in the modern parish of Coolcappa'. Compiled and revised by: Caimin O'Brien Date of revised upload: 04 March 2019 See attached ASI aerial photographs ASIAP – taken on 04/03/2006.