First phase of conservation project at Mayo's Carrowleckeen Church completed

THE first phase of conservation works on Carrowleckeen Church have been completed.

Many will have noticed the recent hive of activity at the usually quiet Carrowleckeen Church (Teampaill Som), Knockatemple, just off the N5 between Ballyvary and Bohola.

This understated but iconic building had deteriorated considerably over time:

Now, Keelogues Heritage Group are delighted to announce the completion of the first phase of long-awaited conservation works, funded by the Community Monuments Fund (2023) in conjunction with the National Monuments Service, and supported by Mayo Heritage Office.

Mary Howley, secretary of Keelogues Heritage Group, outlined the significance of the site and what the conservation works have involved.

The medieval ruins of Carrowleckeen Church (generally believed to have been built between 13th and 15th centuries), encircled by a cillín site, denote the site of one of the five ancient churches of old Keelogues parish. Known colloquially as Knockatemple Church, and on the Ordnance Survey maps as Carrowlackin Church, much further back in time it bore the names Teampaill Som, Tampul Sam and Teampaill na Lickeen, respectively.

The ruins belie the busy ‘ecclesiastical complex’ which once dominated the area with nearby St. Ciaran’s holy well and (what may be) a Mass Rock, 200 metres to the west.

The church structure has deteriorated considerably over time: a large part of the south side of the building and a smaller part of the eastern side had fallen, and the northern side and western side of the church (which includes an ornate doorway), whilst standing, were in danger of collapse.

In 2021, Keelogues Heritage Group was successful in securing funding under the Community Monuments Fund (2021) to commission a conservation management plan. The group were then successful in their bid for Community Monuments Funding in 2023, to take forward the first phase of the conservation works.

Further to the completion of an ecological survey by Barbara McInerney of Wild on Foot, and the gaining of ministerial approval, work commenced in earnest on the site in the autumn.

A photogrammetric survey was completed by Nigel Malcom, of ImpactIGS, ensuring that a comprehensive and lasting 3D record of the structure was recorded prior to the conservation works.

The project team was led by Richard McLoughlin, conservation architect, of Lott’s Architecture and Urbanism, whilst the specialist work of master stonemason Jethro Sheen of Sheen Stoneworks was closely informed by the archaeological expertise of Tamlyn McHugh of Fadó Archaeology, who was working under licence from the National Monuments Service. Austin Dennany, conservation engineer, was invaluable in consulting with the team in relation to planning the methodology.

The group wish people to note that the church is on private property, so access is not possible. However Keelogues Heritage Group will be hosting events in the near future, including an event at the site, to share more details on the progress of this project, disseminate knowledge gained throughout the process of the work to date, and engage all in celebrating a part of our local, county and national built heritage.

*The group can be reached on keeloguesheritage@gmail.com or via the Keelogues Heritage Group Facebook page