site of Church

Marked as the site of a church and a faintly outlined circular graveyard (diam. c. 40m) on the 1839 ed. of the OS 6-inch map. It is situated towards the bottom of the N-facing slope of an ENE-WSW ridge. This is the possible site of the parish church of Kilbride parish that was absorbed by Ferns parish in the 17th century. According to a Visitation by Thomas Ram, the Protestant bishop of Ferns, in 1615 Robert Dreighan was the curate of Kilbridenarles, and the church and chancel were in repair (Hore 1900-11, vol. 6, 272). Lewis (1837, vol. 2, 55) refers to 'an ancient church held in great veneration'. The present Church of Ireland church within a small subrectangular graveyard is later 19th century in date, but a wooden lintel (L 1.15m; Wth 0.17m; T 0.5m) with some letters in relief is kept nearby and is thought to have come from the old church. St Bridget's Well (WX016-014002-), now covered with a boulder, is c. 170m to the W beside Ballymore motte (WX016-014----). 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/revision: 21 May, 2012