Temple Athea (in ruins)

North-of-centre in graveyard (LI034-004002-) with holy well known locally as Tobermurry(LI034-005----) 70m to N. Roofless ivy-clad ruin of rectangular church (int.: 18.9m E-W; 7.4m N-S). Entered through re-built doorway near W end of S wall; inserted doorway near E end of N wall. Interior lit by central window in E wall and similar window near E end of S wall; both have single ogee-headed light and splayed embrasure. Interior filled with burial plots with numerous headstones, the earliest noted dated 1796. In 1838 the Ordnance Survey described the site as following; 'In the townland of Teampul a tSleibhe (Templeatlea) are the ruins of a Church in a large burial ground, but all of its features are destroyed' (OSL Rathronan Parish, 26). Westropp recorded the following details about Temple Athlea or Athea; 'Mount Temple belongs to Rathrunan," 1410; "In Ardacha, Ecclesia Donergismathmore, alias Eaglas Montin," 1418; Temple Clea on Le Granogh, or Slelogher, in Rathronan, in Tog Meaghan, 1586 (Peyton, p. 120). A separate parish, Athee, Athdee, or Temple Clee (lb., p. 170). It may be the chapel "de Monte Maledictionis," 1302, as there is some legend of a curse of St. Patrick at Athlea. Teampull Atsleibhe, locally, Atlea or Athlea, the church of the mountain.' Fabric - All its features were defaced before 1840 (O.S.L. 9, p. 74). Compiled by: Denis Power Revised by: Caimin O'Brien Date of revised upload: 20 May 2019 See attached ASI aerial photographs ASIAP – taken on 04/03/2006.

A rectangular church, likely built in the 13th to 14th century, dedicated to St Athaoi (Athea), with a rebuilt doorway and associated with a holy well; it is a ruin within a graveyard and reflects medieval Christian worship in the area.