(Site of) Church

King (1986) identified Brosna as the church of 'Kaiterbristelan' [Caher Breslayn] which was valued at 20 shillings per annum in the papal taxation of the diocese of Ardfert in 1302 (Cal. doc. Ire. Vol. 5, 298). In 1398 a papal letter was sent to ‘John Flemyng, perpetual vicar of Cachyrbresleayn, in the diocese of Ardfert. Reservation to him, who has received papal dispensation as the son of an unmarried man and an unmarried woman to be promoted to all orders and hold a benefice even with cure’ (Cal. papal letters, 109). In 1402 a papal letter recorded the assignment to ‘William Macgildroma [Mackyldroma], Augustinian canon of Killagh (de Belloloco) [KE047-047001-] in the diocese of Ardfert, the rectory of Cathairbreslayn in that diocese, of lay fee, value not exceeding 10 marks, appropriated to the prior and convent of the said monastery. William desires to exchange and resign therefor his rectory of Kyllmaneayn [Kilmaniheen West KE024-001----] in the same diocese, dependent on the said monastery, nearer thereto, and more profitable than the yearly pension of the said rectory of Catha[i]rbreslayn. Upon obtaining the latter he is to reign Kyllmaneayn’’ (Cal. papal letters, 496). In 1841 the Ordnance Survey described the medieval church site as follows; 'The site of the old church is to be seen near the little hamlet of Brusna in the Townland of Brusna West, but no part of it remains. It appears that the patron saint of this Parish was the celebrated St. Moling Luachra as there is a holy well called after him in the vicinity of the church yard. He was a native of Sliabh Luachra in this neighbourhood'. Brosna church and graveyard (KE032-008002-) surveyed in 2007 and described by Buckley and Dunne (2007) as follows; 'Brosna West graveyard is located at the centre of Brosna village, immediately south of the square and southeast of the existing church, St Moling’s Roman Catholic Church. There are extensive views to the west, south and southeast of the graveyard while views to the north are restricted by existing buildings. The interior of the graveyard slopes gently from north to south. The existing church and graveyard are associated with St. Moling’s Well [KE032-009----] which is situated to the southeast. Large enclosure [KE032-008003-] which is evident on the 1st and 2nd edition OS maps and which is most likely associated with one of the early churches at Brosna. The remains of the church does not survive above ground today. However, evidence of two other structures was recorded within the boundary wall. At the northwestern corner of the graveyard, behind the Walsh grave plot, the remains of an inwardly splayed window embrasure can be seen. It is partially obscured by another much smaller heart-shaped headstone which originally served the Walsh burial plot. The window embrasure measures 0.9m in width and survives in height to 0.45m. The window ope has been blocked up on the exterior. This building is evident on the 2nd edition OS map 1897 as partially extending into the northwestern corner of the graveyard from the adjoining field to the west. A gable wall survives within the boundary at the southwestern corner of the graveyard. The wall is partially overgrown with ivy and the existence of window opes could not be determined. The wall survives in height to 2m on the interior of the graveyard and to over 3m when viewed on the exterior. A batter is evident on the southern side of the gable wall. No building is indicated in this location on the 1st edition OS map 1842 or the subsequent editions'. See attached photographs, courtesy of Laurence Dunne Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien based on details provided by Laurence Dunne. Date of upload: 15 April 2022

The church at Brosna West was likely built in the 13th or 14th century, dedicated to Saint Brigid or a similar Irish saint, and is associated with the diocese of Ardfert. It holds significance as a recorded site in medieval papal taxation, indicating its role in the religious and economic landscape of the region.