Temple Michael Church

Just W of centre in graveyard (9516), former C of I parish church of Ballynamona (Mourne Abbey), no longer used for religious worship but still structurally intact. Built in 1717 on site of earlier ruined church (Smith 1750, vol. 1, 173-4); stone plaque over W door bears Latin inscription (Fitzgerald 1917-20, 163) which translates as follows: 'Glory be to God in the highest. This ancient church Temple-Michael, alias Mourne-Abbey, nowlong in ruins, was rebuilt in the year of Redemption, 1717, and the 3rd of the reign of his most Gracious Majesty King George'; the final line is in English: 'Fear God, honor the King'. Rectangular nave (13m E-W; 8m N-S) with 3-stage pinnacled tower attached at W end and shallow semicircular apse at E end. Round-headed entrance door in W wall of tower. Nave lit by three windows in both N and S walls: wooden frames with two lights inround-headed embrasure, similar window in apse. Plain interior covered bybarrel-vaulted plastered ceiling. The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Cork. Volume 3: Mid Cork' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1997). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload/revision: 14 January 2009

Temple Michael Church in Ballynamona was built in 1717 on the site of an earlier ruined church; it is a former Church of Ireland parish church associated with the parish of Mourne Abbey. The church is no longer used for worship but remains structurally intact and is located within a graveyard, reflecting the continuity of religious use in the area.