Chapel (in ruins) — Fancroft

Situated on a natural rise of ground in upland area. Irregular shaped graveyard enclosed by stone wall with church located in N sector of graveyard (OF043-023001-). Rectangular shaped building (ext. dims. 12.8m N-S; 8.3m E-W; wall T 0.9m) constructed with roughly coursed sandstone rubble. Most of the S wall is destroyed with a single light window in the W gable and two partially destroyed windows in the N wall. There is a curious flat headed doorway at S end of the E gable giving access to a chamber which is built onto the E wall (5.1m N-S; wall T 0.6m) which was possibly a priests residence. There is a small window at the N end of the E wall. There is no evidence for a large E window. There is a linear earthwork or sunken way (Wth. 13m) located to the E of the church running along a NE-SW axis which is flanked on either side by an earthen bank. Possibly a medieval road (OF043-023002-) gives access to the church and graveyard which has no modern access road. The presence of punch dressed limestone jambs in the window suggests a late medieval date. Motte (OF043-020----) located approx. 400m to NW. The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Offaly' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1997). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload: 23 May 2011