Site of Athneasy Church — Report the wrong picture

What is recorded here

Athneasy Church stood on the dangerous frontier of the Limerick marches, where English law collided with Irish resistance and even a criminal once escaped its doors. John Archer held the prebend but derived no benefit because the local people resisted him, forcing the church into destruction and later reconstruction. The site near Elton bridge still holds a graveyard and two earthen forts, preserving the memory of a place where faith, fraud and survival tangled together.

Westropp (1904-5, 428-9) recorded the following details about Athneasy; 'Judgment as to Athenysy Church given 1260 (Cal. Papal L., i.,p. 370). Perhaps Ballyatheny, 1286 (C.S.P.I., p. 285). The parish of Anedes was fined £4 10s. for the escape of a criminal from its church, 1274-1277 (Pipe Roll, Ireland). Athnadessce, 1302, John Staloun robbed Aghnedes Church, 1318 (Plea R. 123 of xi Ed. II,m. 34). In 1343 Eliza de Milton, as widow of Walter de Bermingham, claimed one-third of the "Baronies" of Kathirlagh, Athnedes, Lekdon, and Kilkede (Close R.). Philip Carran, chaplain, presented by Henry IV. to "Andes in Lym.," 1405 (Pat. R.), Ric. Rolley (Raleigh), and others named as holding the manor and advowson of Andesshe, 1424 (ib.). Benefices reserved to John Harchor, rector of Athnedisse (Cal. Papal L., iv., p. 458). In 1408 Tho. f. Gerot was custodian of Manor and advowson of Andesche (Pat. R.). The prebendal church of St. Mary of Andesche is on the frontier of the marches of Limerick; 'John Archer, the prebend, derived no benefit, through resistance of the Irish." The church was destroyed, and ordered to be made a prebend during life of "Richard" Archer, the incumbent, 1409 (Pat. R.); Athenease, or Beallathenesigh, or Beallaneasy, dedicated to St. Athanasius, May 2, 1410; Athenasse, 1418; Attinesie, 1615; Athenesy, 1657 (D.S.(A), 56). Site - A graveyard, near Elton bridge, with two earthen forts (LI040-105----/102-) to the north, and "Lady's "Well," (LI040-103----) quarter of a mile away (O.S.L., 8, p. 267). The remains of the old church of Athanessy stood in 1826' (Fitzgerald, i., p. 318). Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien Date of upload: 17 June 2019

Athneasy Church in Ballinvana was likely built in the 13th century, with references to it dating to 1260 and 1286. Its significance lies in its early recorded presence in church records and local legal contexts.

This remains an important historical record, but the official description says the monument is no longer visible or has been destroyed. The monument record does not grant public access. Check the route and ask the landowner before entering private land.