Location – W of Hardyman mountain in the Slieve Bloom Mountains.
OS: S 166 976 (map 54)
Longitude: 7° 45' 9.2" W
Latitude: 53° 1' 43.91" N
See map at the bottom of the page.
Description and History – This site is somewhat frustrating in that I couldn’t really find anything out about its history. The present remains of the church are medieval but it is believed that this was built on a much earlier Christian foundation which is attributed to St Molua and to whom the nearby holy well is attributed. St Molua is also associated with and allegedly buried at Kyle in Co. Laois. The remains of the medieval church consist of the W gable end and portions of the N and S wall. The surviving gable stands to full height with portions of the bellcote remaining. It really is a very attractive ruin within a nicely kept graveyard.
The holy well sits in the field to the rear of the graveyard. It can be accessed via a gate next to the entrance to the graveyard. The field can be a little boggy but it’s well worth making your way there because it is a nice little well. The enclosure is modern but very nicely done with the face of the saint represented on the face of the well which is very similar to Cumber Upper which is also in Offaly. The rag tree sits next to the well and only has a few rags attached to it. I get the impression that this well is not widely used but somebody is going to the effort of keeping it well maintained which is really great to see. When you see holy wells like Anatrim in Laois, which is barely identifiable, this is a nice sight.
Difficulty – The church is right on the side of the road with plenty of space for parking. The well is a little harder to get to depending on the weather as it can get boggy.
For more ecclesiastical sites, click here.
For more sites in Co. Offaly, click here.
OS: S 166 976 (map 54)
Longitude: 7° 45' 9.2" W
Latitude: 53° 1' 43.91" N
See map at the bottom of the page.
Description and History – This site is somewhat frustrating in that I couldn’t really find anything out about its history. The present remains of the church are medieval but it is believed that this was built on a much earlier Christian foundation which is attributed to St Molua and to whom the nearby holy well is attributed. St Molua is also associated with and allegedly buried at Kyle in Co. Laois. The remains of the medieval church consist of the W gable end and portions of the N and S wall. The surviving gable stands to full height with portions of the bellcote remaining. It really is a very attractive ruin within a nicely kept graveyard.
The holy well sits in the field to the rear of the graveyard. It can be accessed via a gate next to the entrance to the graveyard. The field can be a little boggy but it’s well worth making your way there because it is a nice little well. The enclosure is modern but very nicely done with the face of the saint represented on the face of the well which is very similar to Cumber Upper which is also in Offaly. The rag tree sits next to the well and only has a few rags attached to it. I get the impression that this well is not widely used but somebody is going to the effort of keeping it well maintained which is really great to see. When you see holy wells like Anatrim in Laois, which is barely identifiable, this is a nice sight.
Difficulty – The church is right on the side of the road with plenty of space for parking. The well is a little harder to get to depending on the weather as it can get boggy.
For more ecclesiastical sites, click here.
For more sites in Co. Offaly, click here.
I think this gable end has a fantastic shape to it.
The holy well in the adjoining field.
I think the face of the saint looks more realistic from this angle.
A few rags hanging from the tree.
View The Standing Stone in a larger map
