Unofficial guide. Not the National Monuments Service, the OPW, Fáilte Ireland or the landowner. Disclaimer
At a glance
- TypeChurch
- StatusNational Monument
What to look for
- Nave and chancel
- 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
History and description
National Monument No. 114. A church was founded at Timahoe (Teach Mochua) by St. Mochua who died in 657 (Crawford 1924, 31).
Full archaeological record 159 words
National Monument No. 114. A church was founded at Timahoe (Teach Mochua) by St. Mochua who died in 657 (Crawford 1924, 31). The saint's feastday is commemorated on the 24th of December (Ó Riain 2011, 469). Round tower (LA018-031005-), castle (LA018-031006-) and graveyard (LA018-031003-) are all that remains of the monastery of Timahoe. Reference to the Penitentiary or Oratory of Tech-Mochua here where in 1096. Gilmurry McDuff the Chief of Hy-Crimhthannan, was killed by Magrath O'More. (O'Hanlon and O'Leary, 1907, vol. 1, 375). The fifteenth century church, to SE of tower, was transformed in the sixteenth century into a tower house (LA018-031006-) (Harbison 1970, 141), probably by one of the Cosbys. The only surviving feature of this church is a large arch (Wth 3.95m), possibly the chancel arch, which was blocked up and incorporated into the E wall of the castle. It is composed of punch-dressed chamfered limestone with evidence of diagonal tooling (Petrie 1845, 234-43; Crawford 1924, 31-42).
Archaeological Survey of Ireland, National Monuments Service (CC BY 4.0) · Updated 17 December 2007 · Based on the Archaeological Inventory of County Laois. It describes the site as it was when surveyed.
Folklore and traditions
More ancient churches nearby
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Church · Fossy Lower · Laois · 0.9 km away
Timogue Church
Church · Timogue · Laois · 4.0 km away

Oughaval Church
Church · Carricksallagh · Laois · 7.1 km away

Kilmackeady Church
Church · Ballyadams · Laois · 8.7 km away

Old Saint Peter's Church, Portlaoise
Church · Maryborough · Laois · 10 km away

Churchtown Church
Church · Raheenadeeragh · Kildare · 12 km away
Visitors' notes
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Around Timahoe Church
Other heritage nearby
- Timahoe Round TowerRound tower · 0.0 km
- Timahoe CastleCastle · 0.0 km
- Dysart Round TowerRound tower · 6.5 km
- Dunamase CastleCastle · 7.9 km
- St Brigid's WellHoly well · 8.2 km
- St Patrick's WellHoly well · 8.7 km
Recorded within 5 km
- 8 ringfortsArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 7 ancient churchesArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 6 castlesArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 2 monastic sitesArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 1 round towerArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 1 holy wellArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 1 caveArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 1 hillfortArchaeological Survey of Ireland
Walks and trails
- Oughaval Woods - Mass Rock WalkWalking Trail · 2.9 km · nearest point 6.8 km
- Oughaval Woods - Cobbler's Castle WalkWalking Trail · 6.0 km · nearest point 6.8 km
- Carrigmeal Woodlands Loops - Tir na nÓgWalking Trail · 0.9 km · nearest point 6.8 km
Outdoors, towns and places to stay
- OughavalForests · 7.0 km
- Timahoe Esker Nature ReserveNature reserves · 1.9 km
- PortlaoiseWalled towns · 10 km
- Roundwood HouseHistoric stays · 23 km
Other attractions nearby
- Stradbally Hall and DemesneHistoric Houses and Castle · 6.4 km
- Rock of DunamaseHistoric Houses and Castle · 7.9 km
- Heywood GardensHistoric Houses and Castle · 11 km
- Abbeyleix Heritage HouseHistoric Houses and Castle · 11 km
What's on nearby
- Leaves Festival: Women's Voices in Commercial Fiction2026-11-06 · 20 km · free
- Pa Sheehy – The Magic We Found Tour2026-11-13 · 10 km
- Dirty DC – AC/DC Tribute2026-11-20 · 10 km


