Site of) Isertkieran Church — Ballynacloghy

Within a graveyard (TS063-044001-), to E of centre. According to Simington (1931, vol. 1, 108), this church was located within the parish of 'Isertkyrane' which has 'three plant[atio]n acres of Gleabland belonging to the Viccarage val[ue]d. in the yeare 1640. The sd Gleabland being situated close by ye Church of Isertkyerane'. The OS Letters (O'Flanagan 1930, vol. 1, 70) refer to a historical reference in the Annals of Athassel where in 1337 the Prior of Athassel was sued for the advowson of the 'Church of Iselkeran'. This poorly preserved church, composed of roughly coursed limestone rubble, consists of a trapezoidal area (dims. 12.75m E-W; 4.7m N-S) defined by collapsed, sod-covered remains of walls to the N (L 12.75m; Wth 1.5m); E (L 3.7m; Wth 1.5m); S (L c. 12.75m; Wth c. 1m) and W (L 4.7m; Wth c. 1.35m). The N wall is best preserved (max. H 1.3m; Wth 0.75m) at the E end, where the best visible elevation of wall is on the S face. There is a possible entrance gap (Wth 2.75m) at the W end of the N wall and a gap (Wth c. 2m) at the W end of the S wall. The W wall extends (L 2.4m; Wth 1.45m) to the S and a corresponding wall (L c. 2m; Wth 1.93m; ext. H 1.1m) projects from the S wall, c. 8.6m to E. This may indicate a possible S transept. The remains of a rectangular structure of earth and stone (dims. 2m N-S; 2.4m E-W) adjoining to E may be a supporting buttress for the E wall of the possible transept. The S wall also extends beyond the church to the W. The interior is irregular in shape due to tumble from the N and S walls. There is a large sod-covered mound of stone in the interior, towards the E end. Compiled by: Jean Farrelly Date of upload: 26 August 2011