Nunnery (in Ruins) — Kilmacahill

Kilmichael monastery belonging to the Third Order of St. Francis was founded by the Petit family who were granted the barony of Magheradernon in the late 12th century by Hugh de Lacy, lord of Meath (Stevens and Moll 1722, 199). Recorded in 1976 as 'the ruins now consist of the grass-covered foundations of a fairly large rectangular structure (ext. dims. 24m E-W by 9.4m N-S) orientated east-west and having a N extension (transept feature) (ext. dims. 11.2m N-S by 8.3m E-W). The low banks are best preserved on the SW and NW sides. Two indifferent gaps on the S side and on the W end may represent door opes. There is some visible stonework, but no facing stones. A slight internal mounding towards the W end may represent an internal division. There is also a vague gap in the N side towards the W end. The annexe/transept feature at the E end on the N side is also comprised of very low grass-covered stone footings. Some slight gaps in these banks, one of which at the E corner may represent an opening. In both structures the internal moundings lie directly alongside the footings and so probably consist of collapse. Extending out from the NW corner of the main structure is a low double bank on the slope. Another low bank extending in E direction out from the SE corner for some 15m. Faint traces of low earthworks to the N and E may indicate the location of some of the domestic buildings. Further away to the S and on the higher knoll to the NE are traces of ancient field fences. The church remains are located on top of a low limestone outcrop surrounded by poorly drained pasture land' (SMR file). 150m to the SSE are the remains of an L-shaped earthwork (WM006-039----). Although indicated in the OS 6-inch map as a 'Nunnery (in Ruins)' these remains mark the site of the Franciscan Friary of Kilmacahill which was dissolved in 1540 (Gwynn and Hadcock 1988, 267, 272). The OS probably made a cartographic error and mistakenly identified the site of this friary with a Nunnery in Kinard (SMR file). This friary was founded by the Petit family who were the Anglo-Norman barons of Maghertierne (Magheradernon) (Gwynn & Hadcock 1988, 272). In 1548 the farm of this friary which was valued at 26s. 8d. was sold to Edmund Nugente (Gwynn & Hadcock 1988, 272). The lands of the friary then passed into the hands of the Nangle family of Ballysax, Co. Kildare. In 1611 Robert Nangle of Ballysax, Co. Kildare surrendered to the Crown the 'site, &c. of the late monastery of Kilmacaile, containing the ruinous walls of a church, a small church-yard, 5 cottages, 40a arable, 12a pasture, 3a moor in the town and fields of Kilmacaile' (Cal. pat. rolls Ire., Jas I, 208). Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien