Location: On the R436 between Ferbane and Ballycumber. It is close to the road, but there is little room for parking.
OS: N 17135 26970
Longitude: -7.7437456
Latitude: 53.292988
Description and History: While the site was founded in the 7th century, there are no remains of that original church. What remains today is a multi-phase church, with the oldest sections likely being 10th or 11th century that was likely similar in design to St. Mella’s a few hundred metres away. The church was extended in the 12th century, and this is apparent in the surviving portions of the Romanesque doorway at the west end. It would have been a very nice doorway when complete, and remains of three orders can still be seen and some fine scalloped capitals. In the 15th century the church was again extended, this time to the east, essentially converting the former 10th/11th century chancel into part of a longer nave. Some ex-situ Romanesque windows can be found here alongside simpler later medieval stonework. On the south wall are some well preserved carvings, one with a foliage designs, and the other showing St. Margaret of Antioch and the dragon. The south wall has been extensively damaged but is now secured with metal supports. This damaged section, and I could be wrong on this, appears to be part of the oldest section of the church. Later medieval piscina survive, as do two early Christian cross-slabs, which have now been attached to the walls of the church. There are, apparently, a large collection of cross-slabs in the disused schoolhouse across the road from St. Manchán’s, but it is under lock and key and despite asking around I can’t find anyone to let me in. There is also a fine cross-slab in the graveyard that has been reused as a grave-marker.
I think of this church as the hub of a much larger ecclesiastical complex, that must have been quite substantial in its day. There is a wealth of material here, spanning centuries. It is a site that certainly warrants greater attention.
Difficulty: Easy to get to and find, but parking is an issue.
Date of Visit: 1st May, 2026.
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| As viewed walking back along the togher from St. Mella's. |
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| This curious pile of stone was in the graveyard and was full of cut stone. |
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| Lots of lovely old gravestones here. |
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| St. Margaret and the dragon. |
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| Inside looking west. |
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| One of the two cross-slabs now attached to the walls. |
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| The beautiful scalloped capitals. |
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| This was likely a practice piece of stone that was later used as a modern gravestone. Similar designs can be found on the high-cross at Kells, and bears resemblance to Pictish designs from the 9th century, possibly offering us a date. It is decorated with diagonal key-pattern, except for the central diamond which contains a maze pattern. |
