Kilmoyly Church

Kilmoyly (Cill Mhaoile) Church ruins in centre of graveyard (KE014-089001-) in the parish of Kilmoyly, diocese of Ardfert, barony of Clanmaurice. In 1302 the papal taxation of the Deanery of Othorna and Offlannan in the diocese of Ardfert listed the church of 'Kilmoli' which was then valued annually at 20s. with the tithe valued at 2s. (Cal. doc. Ire. vol. 5, 296). In 1441 John Stack archdeacon of Limerick and Thomas OKearmanda were mentioned in relation to the perpetual vicarage of the parish church of 'Kylmoyly' in the diocese of Ardfert (O'Connell and Costello 1958, 10). In 1479 the vicarage of the parish church of 'Cuylochohy' (KE028-045----) 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 who claimed it 'on account of the power of laymen who detain and occupy the fruits and goods of his episcopal mensa, he enjoys them so little that he can hardly live on them and bear his other burthens, and that he has no other means wherewith to maintain himself as the episcopal dignity requires (O'Connell and Costello 1958, 28). In 1615 the Royal Visitation of the Diocese of Ardfert described Kilmoyley as the; 'Rectoria de Kilcoylly Spectat ad Preceptorem de Anie [LI032-147002-]. Sir Richard Boyle Firmarius' (Murphy 1915, 183).

This church is situated in the centre of a graveyard enclosed by a stone wall. Because of the extensive burials both within and in the immediate vicinity of the church, the ground level has risen substantially. This church is rectangular in plan, circa 26m x 8.8m, with walls 1.6m thick. The S wall contains a doorway of cut limestone in the pointed style, which measures 0.9m high and 1m wide. At the E end of the S wall is a much defaced window, 0.7m x 1.5m, which had a round arch of limestone on its interior side. The E and W gables are now gone and the N wall is much levelled.