Church (in Ruins) — Inchbofin

The monastery on the island of Inchbofin [Inis Bó Finne), in Lough Ree, Co. Westmeath was founded by Moríog also known as St. Ríog/Ríoch or Doríog in the 5th century (Harbison 1970, 243; Ó Riain 2011, 497). Moríog was a nephew of St. Patrick and one of seven sons of Restitutus (Rhystud) of the Maca Baird (Lombards) and brother to Meal of Ardagh (Ó Riain 2011, 497). His feast day fell on the 1st of August. On this small island known as Inchbofin, are the ruins of Inchbofin [Inisbofin] "Abbey" (WM015-001----; National Monument No. 213) and graveyard (WM015-001001-) standing in the E quadrant of a monastic enclosure or cashel defined by a drystone wall with the remains of a second smaller nave and chancel church (WM015-001002-) located 120m to the S of the abbey church. This nave and chanel church is located inside a small graveyard (WM015-001005-) and both were recorded as standing inside a large monastic cashel or enclosure (WM015-001006-). This church was described in 1912 as consisting, ‘of a nave and chancel of different dates. The masonry is of large irregular stones of an archaic type not coursed. The nave measures 23 feet 6 inches [7.1m] in length, east to west, and is 14 feet 10 inches [4.5m] in width. The chancel is 14 feet 2 inches [4.3m] in length by 10 feet 4 inches [3.2m] in width, and the chancel arch is the full width of the chancel. In the south wall of the nave is a cut stone doorway with pointed arch, and nearer to the chancel a narrow splayed window with external chamfer and rebate. The chancel arch has plain accurately cut limestone dressings, the span is the full width of the chancel, which is 4 feet 6 inches [1.25m] narrower than the nave. The jambs are square, and have projecting chamfered bases and imposts. On the east gable of the nave, the brackets or handle stones remain in position; they are 9 inches [0.2m] wide, 7 inches [0.17m] deep and project 10 inches [0.25m]. They present a roll across the end with a hollow curve below, chamfered at each side. The corresponding bracket stones from the west gable are preserved in the church. The chancel was lighted by two narrow windows, splayed and round headed, the stones of the heads being well cut and fitted. The church is surrounded by a narrow graveyard (WM015-001005-) of rectangular shape, enclosed by the remains of an ancient cashel wall (WM015-001006-)’ (Anon 1912, 80th Annual Report of the Commissioners of Public Works in Ireland). In 1912 repairs were carried out on this church and these works were described as, 'The repairs at the smaller church were somewhat similar to what was done at the "Abbey" church, but not so extensive, as the walls were in better condition. Pointing was done, and the tops of the walls were weathered. The ivy, which had injured the cut stone work of the windows, was removed and the stones reset, including some missing stones, which were found around the ruin and in an adjoining fence wall. The jambs of the doorway had been broken down and were built up in rubble work to support and protect the arched head of the doorway. The enclosing cashel was also repaired. These ruins were vested in the Board under the Irish Land Act of 1903 on 16th February, 1910, and form the second monument vested under the provisions of that Act' (Anon 1912, 80th Annual Report of the Commissioners of Public Works in Ireland). In 1917 the church was described by Crawford as 'The smaller church consists of a nave 23 feet 4 inches in length and 14 feet 10 inches [4.5m] in breadth, and a chancel 14 feet [4.25m] by 10 feet 4 inches [3.14m], inside measurements. The masonry is of large, irregular stones, well fitted together, the walls having a thickness of 2 feet 8 inches [0.8m]. Between the nave and chancel in a semicircular arch of plain cut stone, with chamfered bases and imposts; the opening extending to the full width of the chancel. The doorway, now greatly injured, is in the south wall; the head is pointed, and the stonework arranged in three steps or orders, the style being much later than that of the windows. The opening is 7 feet 10 inches [2.35m] in height and 2 feet 9 inches [0.8m] in breadth. The windows of the chancel have plain cut stone dressings, and semicircular heads worked in single stones. The dimensions of the openings are 4 feet 6 inches [1.35m] by 5½ inches [0.14m], and 2 feet 8 inches [0.8m] by 4½ inches [0.12m]; they splay widely towards the interior. Enough remains of the window in the south wall of the nave to show that it was similar in style; there are no openings in the north or west walls. The nave has bracket or handle stones at the east end, and similar stones, probably those of the west end, are lying in the church. These stones, being moulded and chamfered, are of a later type than those seen on other churches, and this building was, perhaps, one of the last to be furnished with them. One which was measured is 20½ inches [0.55m] in length, 9½ inches [0.25m] in breadth, and 7½ inches [0.19m] in height; a fillet and roll are worked across the outer end, and the portion below is hollowed and chamfered’ (Crawford 1917, 141-2). O'Keeffe noted an unusual feature on this church where the chancel arch responds are flush with the side walls of the chancel and this feature is also found at Reefert and Trinity churches at Glendalough, Co. Wicklow and at Inchagoill on Lough Corrib (O'Keeffe 2003, 83, 307). Compiled by Caimin O'Brien Date of upload: 12 January 2012