Unofficial guide. Not the National Monuments Service, the OPW, Fáilte Ireland or the landowner. Disclaimer
At a glance
- TypeChurch
- Recorded sizeint. L 20m, W 8m, wall T 0.8m
What to look for
- Nave and chancel
- Graveyard
- Holy well nearby
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
Situated in an elevated position at roadside W of village. Grass-covered foundations of church survives with nave (int. dims. L 20m, Wth 8m, wall T 0.8m) and chancel (int. dims. L 9m, Wth 6m, wall T 0.8m), orientated NNE-WSW.
Full archaeological record 178 words
Situated in an elevated position at roadside W of village. Grass-covered foundations of church survives with nave (int. dims. L 20m, Wth 8m, wall T 0.8m) and chancel (int. dims. L 9m, Wth 6m, wall T 0.8m), orientated NNE-WSW. Fragments of NE and NW corners of nave survive (H 3m). Built of coursed limestone masonry. This parish church of Balscadden was in 'good repair' in 1630 but in ruins by 1887 (Walsh 1888, 251). A holy well lies SSW of church (DU001-003003-). Graveyard attached (DU001-003002-).
On inspection in 2010 it was found that while some grass-covered mounding was still visible, the nave and chancel as described in the 1992 inspection are no longer dicernible. The north-west corner fo the church is extant and has been stabilised and repaired (6.5m EW x 2mNS x 3m h.). Both the north-east (3m Ew x 2m NS x 0.75m h.) and south-east (2m EW x 1.5m NS x 0.6m h.) corners are also extant but have been added to with stone and cement to form the limits of the Dunne family plot.
Archaeological Survey of Ireland, National Monuments Service (CC BY 4.0) · Compiled by Geraldine Stout · Updated 7 October 2014. It describes the site as it was when surveyed.
More ancient churches nearby

Balrothery Tower
Church · Balrothery · Dublin · 4.6 km away

Hollywood Great Church
Church · Hollywood Great · Dublin · 7.0 km away

Townparks Church
Church · Townparks (Balrothery East By.) · Dublin · 9.9 km away

Grallagh Church
Church · Grallagh · Dublin · 10 km away
National MonumentBaldongan Church
Church · Baldongan · Dublin · 10 km away
Ballyboghil Church
Church · Ballyboghil · Dublin · 11 km away
Visitors' notes
Badges are opinions of visitors - not verified facts. One vote per badge and visitor; no account needed.
Best time to visit
What's missing on this page?
Share a tip to find it
Share a local tradition or story
Suggest a correction
Suggest the right map location
Report a duplicate page
Ask a question
Do not include personal data. See our privacy notice.
Around Tobertown Church
Other heritage nearby
- St. Mary's WellHoly well · 0.0 km
- Lady WellHoly well · 1.5 km
- Lady WellHoly well · 3.4 km
- Lady WellHoly well · 4.7 km
- Fourknocks Passage TombMegalithic tomb · 6.3 km
- Dardistown CastleCastle · 7.3 km
Recorded within 5 km
- 9 megalithic tombsArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 8 holy wellsArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 7 ancient churchesArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 6 ringfortsArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 5 castlesArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 2 monastic sitesArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 1 standing stoneArchaeological Survey of Ireland
Walks and trails
- Boyne Valley CaminoWalking Trail · 20.5 km · nearest point 13 km
Outdoors, towns and places to stay
- Gormanston BeachBeaches · 3.2 km
- Balbriggan, Front Strand BeachBeaches · 3.6 km · Sufficient Quality (2025)
- Rogerstown Estuary Nature ReserveNature reserves · 14 km
- DroghedaWalled towns · 13 km
- Brú na Bóinne UNESCO World Heritage SiteUNESCO · 17 km
- Collon HouseHistoric stays · 24 km
Other attractions nearby
- Balbriggan BeachNature and Wildlife · 3.6 km
- Barnageara BeachNature and Wildlife · 6.8 km
- Laytown BeachBeach · 6.9 km
- Dardistown CastleHistoric Houses and Castle · 7.3 km
What's on nearby
- ON ICE Swords2026-11-05 · 18 km
- Andy Irvine & Quilty2026-11-06 · 4.9 km
- ON ICE Swords2026-11-06 · 18 km
Excavations nearby
- 01E0041 Sarsfieldstown 1, County MeathRoad-scheme excavation report (TII) · 3.2 km
- 01E0042 Sarsfieldstown 2, County MeathRoad-scheme excavation report (TII) · 3.5 km

