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Church

Keel Church

Church building in County Kerry, Ireland.

  • AccessNot confirmed
  • National MonumentNot recorded
  • 13th centuryIn the record
  • FolkloreNone recorded
  • PhotoWanted
Inch East (Corkaguiny By.), Co. Kerry52.14722, -9.96609
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Unofficial guide. Not the National Monuments Service, the OPW, Fáilte Ireland or the landowner. Disclaimer

At a glance

  • TypeChurch
  • Date or period mentioned13th century

What to look for

  • East window
  • Graveyard

Picked out from the Archaeological Survey description below.

Can you visit?

  • No source says it is open to the public.Most monuments in Ireland stand on private farmland.
  • Ask the landowner before crossing fields, close gates, leave the stones as you find them.Visiting responsibly
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History and description

Inch Church/Teampall Inse: The 'Eccia de Inse' which appears on the Papal Taxation List (1302-7) for the diocese of Ardfert (Cal Docs Ire, V, 297) may refer to a 13th century church here or to a foundation on the Great Blasket Island (KE051-002002-) (Hickson 1886, 488). It has also been suggested that the church called 'Baliederscolle' (987) in the taxation was located at Inch (Ó Conchir 1973, 70).

Full archaeological record 227 words

Inch Church/Teampall Inse: The 'Eccia de Inse' which appears on the Papal Taxation List (1302-7) for the diocese of Ardfert (Cal Docs Ire, V, 297) may refer to a 13th century church here or to a foundation on the Great Blasket Island (KE051-002002-) (Hickson 1886, 488). It has also been suggested that the church called 'Baliederscolle' (987) in the taxation was located at Inch (Ó Conchir 1973, 70).

The present remains are those of a rubble-built church represented only by the W gable and its attached return along the S wall. The church measured 5.6m wide internally and the walls, which survive to a maximum height of 2.2m, are 1.05m in thickness. Two corbels which project from the inner face of the S wall may indicate that a loft or gallery existed at the W end of the church. No architectural features are preserved, but the head of a round-headed window, discovered in the interior, indicates a light of similar width to the E window at Kilshannig (KE027-002001-).

In the graveyard which surrounds the church is a perforated sandstone block, .3m wide, carved on 4 sides with a roll moulding flanked by filleted keel moulding at the angles. It may have formed part of a font associated with the 13th century church.

The site lies c. 1km from the seashore on the S side of the peninsula.

Archaeological Survey of Ireland, National Monuments Service (CC BY 4.0) · Updated 8 August 2013 · Based on the J. Cuppage, ‘Corca Dhuibhne. Dingle Peninsula archaeological survey. Ballyferriter. Oidhreacht Chorca Dhuibhne. It describes the site as it was when surveyed.

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      Around Keel Church

      Other heritage nearby

      Recorded within 5 km

      Walks and trails

      • Meelin Hill Looped Walk /Lúbshiúlóid na MaoilinneWalking Trail · 7.8 km · nearest point 3.8 km
      • Glanteenassig - Lough Slat viewWalking Trail · 0.1 km · nearest point 8.1 km
      • Glanteenassig - River TrailWalking Trail · 0.8 km · nearest point 8.2 km

      Outdoors, towns and places to stay

      • GlanteenassigForests · 8.0 km
      • Caragh LakeForests · 13 km
      • InchBeaches · 1.7 km · Excellent Quality (2025)
      • CromaneBeaches · 5.7 km
      • Castlemaine Harbour Nature ReserveNature reserves · 2.6 km
      • Lough Yganavan Nature ReserveNature reserves · 7.8 km

      Other attractions nearby

      • InchBeach · 2.5 km
      • Dooks BeachNature and Wildlife · 8.1 km
      • Camp BeachBeach · 9.2 km
      • Minard CastleHistoric Houses and Castle · 10 km
      My places: 0