Kilbride, Church, Co. Offaly.

Location – Along the banks of the canal, W of Tullamore.
OS: N 304 253 (map 48)
Longitude: 7° 32' 36.66" W
Latitude: 53° 16' 39.11" N
GPS: N 30447 25340 (Accuracy – 6m)
See map at the bottom of the page.

Description and History – There is little left of this canal side church but it boasts a long history. A church was originally located here in the 8th century when Irish monks were establishing many communities in the area. The present structure is late medieval and may not have had a long period of usage as the Penal Laws brought an end to Catholic worship here as it did to many other churches throughout Ireland. The present church is badly ruined and measures 16m x 7.5m. The E and W walls survive to full height but the N wall has collapsed in recent years destroying very fine Latin inscribed gravestone underneath it. The graveyard contains some very nice gravestones.

Difficulty – Easy to find on the canal side. Ample parking.

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Recently collapsed section of wall.


I think this portion of wall will collapse soon.

There are some lovely late medieval grave stones here.




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Castletown, Church, Co. Tipperary.

Location – Near the shores of Lough Derg, near Castletown fortified house. Not listed on the OS map.
OS: R 735 815 (map 59)
Longitude: 8° 23' 37.31" W
Latitude: 52° 53' 1.62" N
GPS: R 73481 81458 (Accuracy – 10m)
See map at the bottom of the page.

Description and History – As with the nearby castle, it was the end of the day when we arrived here by accident and a grave was being dug at the time we were there so we decided to leave them to it and not disturb them. This is a small late medieval church in surprisingly good repair. Most churches that I visit from this era are just walls covered in ivy. This has had some restoration work done to it and is easily accessible. The church is listed in the Royal Book of Visitations and lists a Daniel Kennedy as the vicar in the 17th century, although when in the century I don’t know. This is a lovely little ruin and very well kept.

Difficulty – Not listed on the OS map. Ample parking.

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Castletown, Fortified House, Co. Tipperary.

Location – On the shore of Lough Derg, this site is not marked on the OS maps.
OS: R 734 816 (map 59)
Longitude: 8° 23' 41.19" W
Latitude: 52° 53' 4.55" N
GPS: R 73428 81591 (Accuracy 8m)
See map at the bottom of the page.

Description and History
– This is a site that I will definitely have to revisit. It was at the end of a long day and I didn’t even know that this place existed. We were driving back from a day visiting other sites in the area and we saw this as we drove past. The light was fading so we didn’t have time to have a closer look. This is a three storey rectangular fortified house with a ruined entrance. I could find no details of its history.

Difficulty – Follow the co-ordinates as this is not marked on the map. There is ample place to stop and park. Permission is necessary as this is in someone’s front garden.

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