Churchill Old Church

Site of medieval parish church of Cuylogoich (Cúil-Ó-dTaidhg/Ballynahaglish/Baile na hEaglaise) in the diocese of Ardfert, barony of Trughanacmy. The present parish of Ballynahaglish was known in the medieval period as the parish of Cúil-Ó-dTaidhg. In 1302 the papal taxation of the Deanery of Offeria in the diocese of Ardfert listed the church of 'Scothfig' (corrupted form of Cúil-Ó-dTaidhg) which was then valued annually at 13s. 4d. with the tithe valued at 16d.(Cal. doc. Ire. vol. 5, 295; O'Connell and Costello 1958, 18). According to an entry in the Cal. papal letters, xii. 582 an arrangement had developed by which the abbot of O'Dorney monastery (Abbeydorney Monastery KE021-053001-) 'farmed' the revenues of Duagh (KE017-005) and Cúil-Ó-dTaidhg on behalf of the rector appropriate in Connall abbey (KD023-016----), Co. Kildare who used to receive from the two parishes an annual income of one mark sterling (O'Connell and Costelloe 1958, 18). In 1466 a papal letter sent to 'The abbot of the monastery of the Apostles Peter and Paul, Ratuaych [Ratoo KE009-056004-], in the diocese of Ardfert' concerning the petition of Edmund, abbot of the Cistercian monastery of St.Mary, O'Dorney (de Kyrieleyson) regarding the two rectories of Cuylogoich [Cúil-Ó-dTaidhg] and Dubhact [Duagh] which were united to the Augustinian monastery of St. Mary, Connayl, Kildare (Cal. papal letters, 582-3). The petition stated that the tithes 'of which rectories have been wont to be granted by the abbot and convent of Connayl for a farm or yearly pension of one mark sterling, but are at present withdrawn to the said monastery on account of the non-payment of the said pension although they have been detained against the will and consent of the said abbot and convent by Maurice Fizmores [Fitzmaurice], clerk, of the said diocese of Ardfert; and that if the said fruits etc. were leased and assigned for life to the said abbot Edmund for such farm or pension, he would try to recover the said rectories and fruits etc. from the said Maurice, who is powerful, and would pay the said pension yearly to the abbot and convent of Connayl, and that this would be to the manifest advantage of both the said abbots and monasteries. The pope therefore hereby orders the above abbot to summon the said abbot and convent of Connayl and Maurice and others concerned, and if he find the foregoing to be true, to grant the said fruits etc. for life to abbot Edmund for a farm or yearly pension of one mark sterling, to be paid yearly to the abbot and convent of Connayl, removing therefrom any unlawful detainers'. In 1472 there is a reference to David Stack cleric of Ardfert and brother of Philip Stack, bishop of Ardfert who is associated with the prebend of Fenit and holder of the adjoining parish church of 'Cuylochohy' (middle Irish Cuilotaithig) (O'Connell and Costello 1958, 18-19). In 1479 the vicarage of this parish church was vacant as a result of the death of David Stack, along with Kilmoyley vicarage (KE014-089----) both were then granted to Philip Stack, Bishop of Ardfert (ibid., 28). In 1756 Charles Smith records in his chapter on the state of all the parishes: Ballinahaglish, vicarial, church in repair, Patron Sir Thomas Denny, knight. Proxy 5s (Smith 1756, 37).

The site consists of the ruins of a possible 17th century church with 18th century tower at W end standing in the S quadrant of a graveyard (KE028-045001-). The church consists of a rectangular building with a tower on the W end. No surface remains visible of the medieval parish church of Cúil-Ó-dTaidhg. Described by Lewis (1837, 156) as; 'an ancient structure built in 1619, is situated on an eminence thence called Church-hill, a little to the east of Chapeltown: it was repaired by aid of a gift of £900 from the late Board of First Fruits, in 1820'.

Church ruins described by the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage (NIAH) as a; 'Detached three-bay double-height single-cell Board of First Fruits Church of Ireland church, built 1691, on a rectangular plan; single-bay three-stage tower to entrance (west) front on a square plan. "Improved", 1798, producing present composition. Closed, 1894. Dismantled, 1910. Now in ruins' (NIAH Reg. No. 2130280; www.buildingsofireland.ie).