Church (in ruins) — Borris (twomileborris Par.)

Situated on a slight rise of ground to the SE of a nearby tower house (TN042-052001). A church is mentioned in the ecclesiastical taxation of 1302-7 at the 'burgage of Milath' (CDI, vol. 5, 281) which possibly refers to that at Two Mile Borris. Only a short section of wall (L 2.24m; wall T 0.71m, H 3.4m) orientated E-W survives in the graveyard (TN042-052006). It is much denuded on its N side with rubble and lime mortar exposed. There is a possible wall face on the S side but it is heavily ivy clad. Another short section of wall (L 1.7m L x H 0.63m) orientated N-S may be the remains of the E wall of the church - it now forms the base for a twentieth-century headstone. Within the graveyard there is a late thirteenth/early fourteenth-century graveslab (TN042-052004). In the OS Letters the nave (17.5m x 7.9m) and chancel (5m x 1.8m) of a church are described as still intact, though in ruinous condition. The nave had opposing doorways in the N and S walls and was lit by two flat-headed windows. The E gable of the chancel had largely collapsed and two other windows were also destroyed. A doorway in the S wall of the chancel probably lead to a sacristy (O'Flanagan 1930, vol. 1, 161-2). In the chancel there was a piscina with a credence above. A new graveyard has been added on the N side of the existing one. The above description is derived from 'The Archaeological Inventory of County Tipperary. Vol. 1 - North Tipperary' compiled by Jean Farrelly and Caimin O'Brien (Dublin: Stationery Office, 2002). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload/revision: 22 September 2008