Clonea Church (in ruins) — Clonea Lower

Situated on a rise in a low-lying landscape with the N-S Douglas stream c. 200m to the W. This is the parish church of Clonea within a D-shaped graveyard (dims. c. 30m E-W; c. 25m N-S) defined by stone walls, but farm buildings impinge on the church and graveyard at the N and E. This is a nave (ext. dims. 14.5m E-W; 9.05m N-S) and chancel church, of which only the nave survives almost complete, except the N nave wall. There is a destroyed doorway towards the W end of the S wall, with a blocked tomb-recess and a transitional round-headed window embrasure towards its E end. A pointed chancel arch (Wth 2.2m; H 2.9m), probably inserted, leads to the chancel, which can no longer be discerned. There is evidence of a window in the N nave wall similar to that in the S wall. The site of Clonea castle (WA031-038----) is c. 240m to the SSW. (Power 1897b, 3-5) Power, Rev. P. (1897b) The ancient ruined churches of Co. Waterford. WAJ 3, 3-12, 72-8; 216-227. The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Waterford' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1999). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Compiled by: Michael Moore. Date of upload: 25th August, 2011.