Church (in ruins) — Ambrosetown

Situated at the W edge of a slight W-facing slope, at the point where the slope increases. This is the parish church of Ambrosetown within a circular graveyard (diam. c. 35m E-W; c. 34m N-S) defined by an earthen bank with an outer masonry wall, although the perimeter at W has been robbed by a quarry. It was presumed to be dedicated to St Ambrose, a well-connected Roman of the 4th century who became bishop of Milan in AD 374, but John O’Donovan writing c. 1840 thought that the dedication was most unlikely (Herity 2014, 140). Support is given to O’Donovan’s view in a document of 1408 where Thomas Founreys, rector of Rathmore, Co. Meath (ME024-017001-), is also described as the chaplain of ‘the Blessed Mary of [Am]brosetoun, diocese of Ferns’ (Pers. Com. Conchubhar Ó Crualaoich, 05/05/2021). According to a Visitation by Thomas Ram, the Protestant bishop of Ferns, in 1615 William Underwood, a student was the rector, Henry Reigh was the curate, and the church and chancel were in repair (Hore 1900-11, vol. 6, 269). This is an undivided nave and chancel church (ext. dims 17.6m E-W plus; 6.9m N-S), of which only the E gable (surviving H 4.6m) with a granite lancet window (Wth 0.35m; H 1.37m) that had glazing bars survives together with the grass covered foundations of the N and S walls, but the W end of the church cannot be traced. A report of a rectangular granite font within the church (Moore 1996, 119) is erroneous, the result of confusion with other churches. The site of St Ambrose's Well, where patterns were held on an unknown date according to John O’Donovan is c. 30m to the NW, in an area that has been quarried and no trace of the well remains. The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Wexford' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1996). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Compiled by: Michael Moore Date of upload: 19 August, 2013 Amended: 6 May, 2021