St. Kieran's Church

This article includes a list of general references, but it remains largely unverified because it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. Please help to improve this article by introducing more precise citations. (December 2020) (Learn how and when to remove this template message)

St. Kieran's Church
Errill Church
Séipéal Naomh Chiaráin
St. Kieran's Church
52°51′10″N 7°40′19″W / 52.852899°N 7.672005°W / 52.852899; -7.672005Coordinates: 52°51′10″N 7°40′19″W / 52.852899°N 7.672005°W / 52.852899; -7.672005
Location	Errill, County Laois
Country	Ireland
Denomination	Catholic Church (Pre-Reformation)
History
Status	In ruins
Founded	6th century AD
Founder(s)	Saint Ciarán of Saigir
Architecture
Heritage designation	National Monument
Years built	Middle Ages
Specifications
Length	16.9 metres (18.5 yd)
Width	8.8 metres (9.6 yd)
Number of floors	1
Floor area	149 square metres (1,600 sq ft)
Administration
Diocese	Ossory

St. Kieran's Church is a medieval church and National Monument located in Errill, County Laois, Ireland.^[1][2]

Location[]

St. Kieran's Church is located to the south of Errill village, about 5 km (3½ miles) to the west of Rathdowney, on the south bank of the (a tributary of the River Erkina, which itself feeds into the Nore).

History[]

The site at Errill dates back to the early Christian period where a monastery was founded by Saint Ciarán of Saigir (died c. AD 530). A holy tree and holy well associated with Kieran stand nearby. Only grass-covered wall footing remains of the monastery. The church was built later, in the medieval period. A wayside cross was constructed in the 17th century.

The building[]

Ruins consist of upstanding walls, measuring 16.9 m x 8.8 m. A doorway and rounded window remains in the south wall. Another window survives also. Masonry has been reused as gravemarkers in the graveyard.

References[]