Churchland

12 registered freehold parcels lie mostly in Churchland, from 226 m² to 85,998 m² (8.6 ha, 21.25 acres). The dashed line is the townland's boundary; 14 neighbouring parcels touch it.

Download the townland: DXF, in Irish Transverse Mercator metres, with its boundary, parcels and buildings; GeoJSON or KML.

No zone of a development plan covers Churchland in the national zoning. Outside zoned towns and villages, the county development plan's rural policies apply to each application.

Source: Tailte Éireann and the Department of Housing (MyPlan), national zoning, CC BY 4.0.

No planning application touches the townland of Churchland in the national file, which goes back to 2010.

Source: National Planning Applications, Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, CC BY 4.0. Applicants are not shown.

Designated sites

No designated site (Special Area of Conservation, Special Protection Area, Natural Heritage Area or proposed one) touches the townland of Churchland.

Recorded monuments

• OF039-003 Settlement deserted - medieval
  Description

  National Monument No. 497, consisting of a poorly preserved church (OF039-003005-), base of round tower (OF039-003003-), low motte (OF039-003009-), possible souterrain (OF039-003026-) and building (OF039-003008-) all of which is contained within the impressive remains of a bivallate ecclesiastical enclosure (OF039-003001-). Founded by St. Kieran the elder in the fifth century (ITA Survey 1943). Medieval earthworks marked on OS 6-inch map as 'Ramparts' enclose the ecclesiastical remains with square shaped motte (OF039-003009-) to the SW of the church. The earthworks consist of two well preserved earthen banks with wide deep intervening fosse and possible ramped entrance at N. Inside the enclosure are several earthen banks which may act as internal divisions. Possible wall footings of a rectangular building orientated on a N/S axis located outside SE angle of graveyard wall as indicated on the OS 6-inch map. An Inquisition of 1568 recorded 'The Villa of Shyre belonged to the Canons, in which were six cottages and forty acres of arable and pasture lands, of the annual value of 6s. 8d.' Surviving evidence suggests an early Christian foundation with early medieval priory, low motte and earthworks which enclose the priory which was later fortified by the addition of a gun turret to the SE angle possibly in the 16th-century. The monastic remains are described in 1568 as consisting of 'The Prior was found seized of the site of the Priory containing one acre, in which were the walls of a Church, a small tower, a great stone house covered with thatch, now used as the Parish Church and two other houses, then the residence of the Canons, worth excluding repairs, 3/4d. yearly.' (O' Flanagan 1933, vol. 2, 59; Barrow 1979, 175-6; Cooke 1875, 166-76; Lionard Vol. 61, 95-169; Harbison 1970, 207) The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Offaly' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1997). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload: 23 May 2011

• OF039-003001 Ecclesiastical enclosure
  Description

  National Monument No. 497, consisting of a poorly preserved church (OF039-003005-), base of round tower (OF039-003003-), low motte (OF039-003009-), possible souterrain (OF039-003026-) and building (OF039-003008-) all of which is contained within the impressive remains of a bivallate ecclesiastical enclosure (OF039-003001-). Founded by St. Kieran the elder in the fifth century (ITA Survey 1943). Remains consist of an irregular shaped graveyard (OF039-003007-) with poorly preserved church (OF039-003005-) with gun turret at SE angle, base of round tower (OF039-003003-) at NW angle, base of high cross (OF039-003002-), cross-slabs, architectural fragments, 19th-century C of I church and medieval earthworks of a deserted medieval settlement enclosing graveyard from S through W to N and low motte (OF039-003----) to SW, all of which is contained within the impressive remains of a bivallate ecclesiastical enclosure (OF039-003001-). Medieval earthworks marked on OS 6-inch map as 'Ramparts' enclose the ecclesiastical remains with square shaped motte (OF039-003----) to the SW of the church. The earthworks consist of two well preserved earthen banks with wide deep intervening fosse and possible ramped entrance at N. Inside the enclosure are several earthen banks which may act as internal divisions. Possible wall footings of a rectangular building orientated on a N/S axis located outside SE angle of graveyard wall as indicated on the OS 6-inch map.. Surviving evidence suggests an early Christian foundation with early medieval priory, low motte and earthworks which enclose the priory which was later fortified by the addition of a gun turret to the SE angle possibly in the 16th-century. The monastic remains are described in 1568 as consisting of 'The Prior was found seized of the site of the Priory containing one acre, in which were the walls of a Church, a small tower, a great stone house covered with thatch, now used as the Parish Church and two other houses, then the residence of the Canons, worth excluding repairs, 3/4d. yearly.' (O' Flanagan 1933, vol. 2, 59; Barrow 1979, 175-6; Cooke 1875, 166-76; Lionard Vol. 61, 95-169; Harbison 1970, 207) Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien. Date of upload: 23 May 2011

• OF039-003002 Cross - High cross
  Description

  Founded by St. Kieran the elder in the fifth century (ITA Survey 1943). A truncated pyramidal base (1.05m by 0.9m by 0.8m) of a high cross with rectangular socket (0.3m by 0.5m by 0.43m) located to the S of the priory with smaller pyramidal shaped base (OF039-003010-) beside larger cross base described by Gilling (1937, 294-5) with biblical scenes on E face that have been interpreted by Roe (1949, 51). A 3D model of the high cross can be downloaded from Offaly County Council website at www.offaly.ie/eng/Services/Heritage/Archaeology/3D_Surveying_of_Archaeological_Monuments/ Described by Harbison (1992, vol. 1, 166-7) as following: 'To the west of the church on the old monastic site of Seir Kieran is a sandstone base which was dug out of the gorund in 1937. It is 75cm high, and measures 1.05m by 94cm at ground level. Above the bottom rectangular panel it has two steps, the upper one of which is undecorated on all sides. The lower panel is framed by a roll or rope moulding. EAST FACE Bottom Panel The bottom panel has a number of biblical scenes which are not seperated, but which are generally arranged in two registers. Lower register Left: A winged griffin with its head looking backwards. Centre : THE THREE CHILDREN IN THE FIERY FURNACE - The three children are huddled together in the centre of the bottom part of the panel, protected by the angel which spreads its wings out over them. Of the three figures to the left (taken by Henry and Weir to belong to a scene of [?] CAIN SLAYING ABEL), two can - by analogy with the similar representation on panel E3 of the Cross of Saints Patrick and Columba at Kells - be seen to be soldiers, one blowing a horn and the other presumably carrying faggots on the end of a stick to add fuel to the fire. The figure furthermost to the left - not present at Kells - seems to be urging the two soldiers forward in front of him, and may represent Nebuchadnezzar. Right of Centre : ADAM AND EVE. - Adam and Eve can be seen beneath the arching branches of the tree which fall to the ground immediately behind them. Right : Unidentified figure. - There would seem to be a figure to the right of ADAM AND EVE, and possibly holding a stick. Upper Register Left : (?) A David scene (possibly [?] DAVID WITH THE HEAD OF GOLIATH). A seated figure on the left is approached by a figure on the right holding out something. The panel culd possibly represent DAVID WITH THE HEAD OF GOLIATH, or on the analogy of panel S3 at Castlebernard not far away - THE SUMMONING OF DAVID. Centre: THE SACRIFICE OF ISAAC. - Abraham stands on the left, holding up a sword in his right hand behind his head. His left hand appears to hold the hair of Isaac, who is bent over the altar, probably holding an axe and possibly a bundle of wood. The ram can be seen above his head. Right : Two horses (?) that on the left being apparently winged, that on the right seeming to have a human leg in its mouth. There is a bird perched on the rump of the winged horse, and there would also appear to be something (a rider? Or a head?) on the back of the right-hand horse. Step : The lower face has a row of upright interlace patterns. SOUTH FACE Bottom panel : Three faint panels of interlace seperated by vertical raised mouldings. Lower step: (?) A procession of animals. WEST FACE Only a small panel of interlace survives on the lower step of this face, which is badly damaged. NORTH FACE Bottom panel : This seems to be divided into a lower and an upper register. Lower register: Possibly a number of figures (?) - all badly eroded. Upper register : The partially damaged right-hand side whould appear to be occupied by three of four horsemen riding towards the left, where they face five figures with staffs, who may reel backwards from them. Lower step: Interlace'. Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien Date of upload: 23 May 2011

• OF039-003003 Round tower
  Description

  National Monument No. 497, consisting of a poorly preserved church (OF039-003005-), base of round tower (OF039-003003-), low motte (OF039-003009-), possible souterrain (OF039-003026-) and building (OF039-003008-) all of which is contained within the impressive remains of a bivallate ecclesiastical enclosure (OF039-003001-). Founded by St. Kieran the elder in the fifth century (ITA Survey 1943). Only the base of a round tower (int. diam. 2.86m; wall T 1.2m) located at the W end of the N wall of the Augustinian priory on the NW angle of the priory (OF039-003004-) which has been recently restored. Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien. Date of upload: 23 May 2011

• OF039-003004 Religious house - Augustinian canons
  Description

  Founded by St. Kieran the elder in the fifth century (ITA Survey 1943). Poorly preserved remains of a long rectangular church (ext. dims. 9.6m N-S; approx. 31m E-W; wall T 0.9m) built with roughly coursed limestone boulders founded by the Canons Regular of St. Augustine about the year 1200 (Carrigan 1905, ii, 3-4), the E window of which has been inserted into the E gable of 19th-century Church of Ireland church to the E of priory ruins. This window consists of a triple light trefoil headed lancets with three quatrefoil lobes above with pointed hood moulding over. Only the N wall and wall footings of the E and S walls survive with W wall of graveyard forming W end of church. Late medieval gun turret (ext. diam. 4.2m; wall T 1m) two storeys high added onto SE angle of priory with several gun loops visible and partial remains of conical cap with wickerwork centring visible. Only the base of a round tower at the W end of the N wall exists which was recently restored. A truncated pyramidal base (1.05m by 0.9m by 0.8m) of a high cross with rectangular socket (0.3m by 0.5m by 0.43m) located to the S of the priory with smaller pyramidal shaped base (0.32m by 0.46m by 0.33m) beside larger cross base described by Gilling (1937, 294-5) with biblical scenes on E face that have been interpreted by Roe (1949, 51). Early Christian cross-slab immediately to W of cross base also described by Gilling (1937, 294-5). Four early Christian cross-slabs now located inside C of I church described by Crawford (1916, 166). Limestone quoin with womans head with headress carved in relief on face of quoin located in front of W door of C of I church. Medieval earthworks marked on OS 6-inch map as 'Ramparts' enclose the ecclesiastical remains with square shaped motte (OF039-003----) to the SW of the church. The earthworks consist of two well preserved earthen banks with wide deep intervening fosse and possible ramped entrance at N. Inside the enclosure are several earthen banks which may act as internal divisions. Possible wall footings of a rectangular building orientated on a N/S axis located outside SE angle of graveyard wall as indicated on the OS 6-inch map.. Surviving evidence suggests an early Christian foundation with early medieval priory, low motte and earthworks which enclose the priory which was later fortified by the addition of a gun turret to the SE angle possibly in the 16th-century. The monastic remains are described in 1568 as consisting of 'The Prior was found seized of the site of the Priory containing one acre, in which were the walls of a Church, a small tower, a great stone house covered with thatch, now used as the Parish Church and two other houses, then the residence of the Canons, worth excluding repairs, 3/4d. yearly.' (O' Flanagan 1933, vol. 2, 59; Barrow 1979, 175-6; Cooke 1875, 166-76; Lionard Vol. 61, 95-169; Harbison 1970, 207) Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien. Date of upload: 23 May 2011

• OF039-003005 Church
  Description

  National Monument in State Ownership No. 497, consisting of a poorly preserved church (OF039-003005-), base of round tower (OF039-003003-), low motte (OF039-003009-), possible souterrain (OF039-003026-) and building (OF039-003008-) all of which is contained within the impressive remains of a bivallate ecclesiastical enclosure (OF039-003001-). Irregular shaped graveyard (OF039-003007-) with poorly preserved church (OF039-003005-) with gun turret at SE angle, base of round tower (OF039-003003-) at NW angle, base of high cross (OF039-003002-), cross-slabs, architectural fragments, 19th-century C of I church and medieval earthworks of a deserted medieval settlement enclosing graveyard from S through W to N and low motte (OF039-003----) to SW, all of which is contained within the impressive remains of a bivallate ecclesiastical enclosure (OF039-003001-). Founded by St. Kieran the elder in the fifth century (ITA Survey 1943). On the current edition of the OS 6-inch map there is a church site of marked just outside the ecclesiastical enclosure on the N side. Low rock outcrop markes the site of this levelled church site. The monastic remains are described in 1568 as consisting of 'The Prior was found seized of the site of the Priory containing one acre, in which were the walls of a Church, a small tower, a great stone house covered with thatch, now used as the Parish Church and two other houses, then the residence of the Canons, worth excluding repairs, 3/4d. yearly.' Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien. Date of upload: 23 May 2011

• OF039-003006 Building
  Description

  Irregular shaped graveyard (OF039-003007-) with poorly preserved church (OF039-003005-) with gun turret at SE angle, base of round tower (OF039-003003-) at NW angle, base of high cross (OF039-003002-), cross-slabs, architectural fragments, 19th-century C of I church and medieval earthworks of a deserted medieval settlement enclosing graveyard from S through W to N and low motte (OF039-003----) to SW, all of which is contained within the impressive remains of a bivallate ecclesiastical enclosure (OF039-003001-). Founded by St. Kieran the elder in the fifth century (ITA Survey 1943). The SE angle of the graveyard wall enclosing the graveyard of Seir Kieran appears to incorporate the fragment of a medieval building. Possible doorway opening visible in the S wall near the SE angle of the graveyard. This building appears to have been reused as a later 18th or 19th century mausoleum. Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien. Date of upload: 23 May 2011

• OF039-003007 Graveyard
  Description

  Large square-shaped graveyard with poorly preserved church (OF039-003005-) with gun turret at SE angle, base of round tower (OF039-003003-) at NW angle, base of high cross (OF039-003002-), cross-slabs, architectural fragments, 19th-century C of I church and earthworks of a deserted medieval settlement enclosing graveyard from S through W to N and low motte (OF039-003----) to SW, all of which is contained within the impressive remains of a bivallate ecclesiastical enclosure (OF039-003001-). Founded by St. Kieran the elder in the fifth century (ITA Survey 1943). Poorly preserved remains of a long rectangular church (OF039-003005-) situated in N quadrant of large square-shaped graveyard. The N wall of the medieval church actually forms the N boundary wall of the graveyard. 19th century C of I church located in E quadrant of graveyard. Base of high cross located in centre of graveyard. Possible medieval building located in SE angle of graveyard. Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien. Date of upload: 23 May 2011

• OF039-003008 Building
  Description

  National Monument No. 497, consisting of a poorly preserved church (OF039-003005-), base of round tower (OF039-003003-), low motte (OF039-003009-), possible souterrain (OF039-003026-) and building (OF039-003008-) all of which is contained within the impressive remains of a bivallate ecclesiastical enclosure (OF039-003001-). Present remains consists of a large square-shaped graveyard with poorly preserved church (OF039-003005-) with gun turret at SE angle, base of round tower (OF039-003003-) at NW angle, base of high cross (OF039-003002-), cross-slabs, architectural fragments, 19th-century C of I church and medieval earthworks of a deserted medieval settlement enclosing graveyard from S through W to N and low motte (OF039-003----) to SW, all of which is contained within the impressive remains of a bivallate ecclesiastical enclosure (OF039-003001-). Founded by St. Kieran the elder in the fifth century (ITA Survey 1943). Grass covered wall footings of a long rectangular building (approx. ext. dims. 19m N-S x 9m E-W) orientated on a N-S axis and located outside E wall of graveyard. Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien. Date of upload: 23 May 2011

• OF039-003009 Castle - motte
  Description

  National Monument No. 497, consisting of a poorly preserved church (OF039-003005-), base of round tower (OF039-003003-), low motte (OF039-003009-), possible souterrain (OF039-003026-) and building (OF039-003008-) all of which is contained within the impressive remains of a bivallate ecclesiastical enclosure (OF039-003001-). Low flat topped rectangular shaped mound (H 3m; top diam 20m; base diam 25m) enclosed by wide flat bottomed fosse (Wth 5m; ext. D 1m) with enclosure around nearby monastic site (OF039-003----) forming part of its outer defences and therefore may have been contemporary with the construction of the ringwork. Part of the top has been quarried away due to an excavation carried out under the supervision of a local priest in the 1900's. The top of the earthwork measures approx. 0.5m high above the surrounding countryside. (O' Flanagan 1933, vol. 2, 59; Cooke 1875, 166-76; Harbison 1970, 207) Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien. Date of upload: 23 May 2011

• OF039-003010 Cross - High cross
  Description

  Monastery founded by St. Kieran the elder in the fifth century (ITA Survey 1943). Ecclesiastical site consists of an irregular shaped graveyard (OF039-003007-) with poorly preserved church (OF039-003005-) with gun turret at SE angle, base of round tower (OF039-003003-) at NW angle, base of high cross (OF039-003002-), cross-slabs, architectural fragments. 19th-century C of I church and medieval earthworks of a deserted medieval settlement enclosing graveyard from S through W to N and low motte (OF039-003----) to SW, all of which is contained within the impressive remains of a bivallate ecclesiastical enclosure (OF039-003001-). A truncated pyramidal shaped base of a high cross (OF039-003002-) with rectangular socket located to the S of the priory (OF039-003005-) with smaller pyramidal shaped base of a small cross (0.32m by 0.46m by 0.33m) beside larger cross base (OF039-003002-). Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien. Date of upload: 23 May 2011

• OF039-003011 Sheela-na-gig
  Description

  Now located in the National Museum of Ireland (Cherry 1992, 6); believed to have come from E gable of old church (OF039-003004-) of St Kieran (now destroyed); illustrated in Dublin Penny Journal Vol. 3 in 1834-35 where it is described as located on the `eastern gable of the church is ornamented with an old freestone window-frame, at some distance from which there also projects from the wall a grotesque figure in freestone about one and a half foot long’ (Guest 1936, 114) Limestone block (0.26m x 0.26 x 0.4m) with grotesque figure carved out in raised relief (0.1m) on one side. Female figure displays large head with deep rounded eyes, slightly grooved cheeks, flat nose and round open mouth with small ears carved in relief. Two deep holes on top of flat head with small hole under chin. Chest shows rib-cage with pointed breasts; legs are splayed with arms pulling vulva apart. Seven curious holes around the genital area with large hole at base of stone. Described by Freitag as ‘one of the best known Irish Sheelas because of ring of holes drilled around genital area and additional holes in throat and top of head, suggestive of having served some pagan ritualistic function. Round head with ears, hollow ovoid eyes, small nose, round, wide open mouth and striations on cheeks. Heavy shoulders, flat pointy breasts resting on deeply incised ribcase. Seated on her haunches with knees pulled up and splayed, held back by elbows. Right hand close to pudenda, fingers pointing downwards, left hand holds round object at height of pudenda. Feet turned outwards’ (Freitag 2004, 141). Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien. Date of upload/revision: 05 June 2012

• OF039-003012 Cross - High cross
  Description

  Monastery founded by St. Kieran the elder in the fifth century (ITA Survey 1943). Small freestanding ringed-cross of sandstone that was lying in the graveyard close to the base of the high cross (Gilling 1937, 294-5). Now housed inside the C of I church. Cross described by Harbison (1992, vol. 1, 167) as following: 'Near the door of the church there is a small sandstone cross with imperforate ring, and a tenon at the bottom of the shaft. It is 52cm high, 33 cm across the arms and 9 cm thick. Each face has one large boss at the centre, and smaller ones on the arms and shaft. On the shaft there is a hole on one side and a small sunken circle on the other'. Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien. Date of upload: 23 May 2011

• OF039-003013 Cross-slab
  Description

  Founded by St. Kieran the elder in the fifth century (ITA Survey 1943). Early Christian cross-slab (L 1.65m; Wth 0.65m) that was unearthed in 1938 and described as buried 12 inches below the soil in the graveyard and posessing a well preserved cross incised upon its surface (Gilling 1938, 281, 285). Now housed inside the C of I church. Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien. Date of upload: 23 May 2011

• OF039-003014 Cross-slab
  Description

  Founded by St. Kieran the elder in the fifth century (ITA Survey 1943). Early Christian cross-slab (dims. 1.68m x 0.66m x 0.1m) described by Crawford as 'a slab of irregular shape , incised with a six-line cross, having the centre a circle, and the ends three-quarter circles. At the sinister sides are the traces of an inscription 'or do cherball'' (Crawford 1913, 265; Carwford 1916, 166). Now housed inside the C of I church, with a replica lying in the graveyard where the original was located. Described by Macalister as `Among four ancient tombstones lying on this historically important site there is one of sandstone, recumbent west of the church, a Latin seven-line cross with a circular expansion at the centre and fantastically varied expansions at the terminals' (Macalister 1949, 39). The inscription reads O~R~DOCHERBALL which can be expanded to OROIT DO CHERBALL (Macalister 1949, 39). Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien. Date of upload: 23 May 2011

• OF039-003015 Cross-slab
  Description

  Monastery founded by St. Kieran the elder in the fifth century (ITA Survey 1943), consisting of an irregular shaped graveyard (OF039-003007-) with poorly preserved church (OF039-003005-) with gun turret at SE angle, base of round tower (OF039-003003-) at NW angle, base of high cross (OF039-003002-), cross-slabs, architectural fragments, 19th-century C of I church and medieval earthworks of a deserted medieval settlement enclosing graveyard from S through W to N and low motte (OF039-003----) to SW, all of which is contained within the impressive remains of a bivallate ecclesiastical enclosure (OF039-003001-). Early Christian cross-slab described by Crawford as 'a similar slab, incised with a seven line cross of similar shape, having the centre a crosslet, with spiral ends' (Crawford 1913, 265). By 1916 Crawford described this cross-slab as being missing (Crawford 1916, 166). This cross-slab may be the same slab (OF039-064----) that has been incorporated into the walls of the nearby Roman Catholic church that was built between 1899-1901. Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien. Date of upload: 23 May 2011

• OF039-003017 Cross-slab
  Description

  Founded by St. Kieran the elder in the fifth century (ITA Survey 1943). Early Christian cross-slab described by Crawford as 'a fourth early slab (not described)' (Crawford 1913, 265). In 1916 Crawford described this slab as 'a fragment showing in relief the upper portion of a cross with circular hollows at the angles' (Crawford 1916, 166). Cross-slab number 5 in the Urban Survey (Bradley et. al. 1986, 49) that is described as a 'Fragment lying on the ground west of the Church of Ireland church. Creamy white granite slab (dims. H 0.86m x Wth 0.68m x T 0.08m) with unringed celtic cross in relief, lacking top and base. Chamfered sides but the cross-arms extend beyond the chamfer. Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien. Date of upload: 23 May 2011

• OF039-003018 Cross-slab
  Description

  Founded by St. Kieran the elder in the fifth century (ITA Survey 1943). In 1916 Crawford described this slab as 'a small block of sandstone bearing an incised cross potent, the lower extremity of which is plain' (Crawford 1916, 166). This cross-slab is now housed within the C of I church. Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien. Date of upload: 23 May 2011

• OF039-003019 Cross-slab
  Description

  Founded by St. Kieran the elder in the fifth century (ITA Survey 1943). Fragment of a cross-slab which has an incised pointed foot of a two line cross which is now housed in the C of I church. Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien. Date of upload: 23 May 2011

• OF039-003020 Architectural feature
  Description

  Irregular shaped graveyard (OF039-003007-) with poorly preserved church (OF039-003005-) with gun turret at SE angle, base of round tower (OF039-003003-) at NW angle, base of high cross (OF039-003002-), cross-slabs, architectural fragments, 19th-century C of I church and medieval earthworks of a deserted medieval settlement enclosing graveyard from S through W to N and low motte (OF039-003----) to SW, all of which is contained within the impressive remains of a bivallate ecclesiastical enclosure (OF039-003001-). Founded by St. Kieran the elder in the fifth century (ITA Survey 1943). C of I church contains an E window of thirteenth century that may have come from the Augustinian priory located to the W of the C of I building. Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien. Date of upload: 23 May 2011

• OF039-003021 Architectural fragment
  Description

  Founded by St. Kieran the elder in the fifth century (ITA Survey 1943). Quoin stone possibly of the medieval church containing a womans head carved in relief. Other fragments of window mouldings of medieval date lie scattered alongside of the footpath to the N and W of the C of I church. Several sandstone rotary quernstones located alongside footpath to S of C of I church. Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien. Date of upload: 23 May 2011

• OF039-003022 Font
  Description

  Founded by St. Kieran the elder in the fifth century (ITA Survey 1943). Fragments of a limestone font of medieval date located lying on the surface of the graveyard beside footpath to N of the C of I church. Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien. Date of upload: 23 May 2011

• OF039-003023 Tomb - table tomb
  Description

  Described by Carrigan (1905, ii, 14) as a 17th century graveslab with the following inscription 'HERE LYETH THE BODY OF NICHOLAS HERBERT, SON OF OLIVER HERBERT OF KILLIEN [Killyon], WHO DYED THE 8TH DAY OF JANUARY IN THE YEARE OF OUR LORD GOD 1672' (Bradley et. al. 1986, 51). This table tomb is located in SE corner of the graveyard (OF039-003007-) to the S of the C of I church. Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien. Date of upload/revision: 15 December 2011

• OF039-003026 Souterrain
  Description

  National Monument No. 497, consisting of an irregular shaped graveyard (OF039-003007-) with poorly preserved church (OF039-003005-) with gun turret at SE angle, base of round tower (OF039-003003-) at NW angle, base of high cross (OF039-003002-), cross-slabs, architectural fragments, 19th-century C of I church and medieval earthworks of a deserted medieval settlement enclosing graveyard from S through W to N and low motte (OF039-003----) to SW, all of which is contained within the impressive remains of a bivallate ecclesiastical enclosure (OF039-003001-). Founded by St. Kieran the elder in the fifth century (ITA Survey 1943). Around 1860 workmen came upon an arched passage while removing stones for building purposes (Carrigan 1905, vol 2, 13). This may have been the site of a souterrain. Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien. Date of upload: 23 May 2011

• OF039-003027 Headstone
  Description

  17th century sandstone headstone located in west quadrant of Seir Kieran graveyard (OF039-003007-), inscribed with the inscription that reads 'A R Jan ye 12th 1686'. A second 17th century sandstone headstone is situated immediately to the N (OF039-003028-). One of two 17th century headstones in the graveyard. Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien. Date of upload: 23 May 2011

• OF039-003028 Headstone
  Description

  17th century sandstone headstone located in west quadrant of Seir Kieran graveyard (OF039-003007-), inscribed with the inscription that reads 'E B'. A second 17th century sandstone headstone is situated immediately to the S (OF039-003027). One of two 17th century headstones in the graveyard. Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien. Date of upload: 23 May 2011

Architectural heritage

• Saint Kieran's Church (Seirkieran), church/chapel, 1760–1800 · Regional interest
  Description

  Detached gable-fronted Church of Ireland church, built c.1780, with four-bay nave and graveyard. Located on site of Saint Kieran's Abbey with ruined remains to site. Pitched slate roof with cast-iron rainwater goods, sandstone coping and eaves course and crow-stepped limestone bellcote. Squared limestone and sandstone walls with limestone quoins and skew-corbels. Limestone plaque to front elevation. Pointed-arched window openings with punched limestone surrounds and timber and leaded replacement windows. Pointed-arched window opening to chancel incorporates a thirteenth-century window from Augustinian priory on site. Comprises carved sandstone triple-light with trefoil lancets and quatrefoil lobes under a hoodmoulding. Pointed-arched louvred opening to front elevation. Pointed-arched door opening with punched limestone chamfered surround and timber battened double doors. Door accessed up two limestone steps. Graveyard with varied upright and recumbent grave markers. Ruins to earlier church and abbey to graveyard. Graveyard enclosed by random coursed wall. Site accessed through wrought-iron double gates supported by sandstone gates piers with stile in wall to east of gates. Entrance gates to road accesses driveway to church.

Designated sites: National Parks and Wildlife Service. Recorded monuments: Sites and Monuments Record, National Monuments Service. Buildings: National Inventory of Architectural Heritage. Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, CC BY 4.0. Works at or in relation to a recorded monument need two months' written notice to the National Monuments Service (National Monuments (Amendment) Act 1994, section 12).

Radon

About 1 in 5 homes in this area is likely to have high radon levels. Testing a home

Landslides

Susceptibility moderately low, low, low (inferred), on the 1:50,000 map.

Terrain model

No LiDAR survey of the Office of Public Works covers the centre of the townland of Churchland.

Flooding

The flood maps of the Office of Public Works: floodinfo.ie.

Radon Risk Map of Ireland, Environmental Protection Agency; Landslide Susceptibility Classification, Geological Survey Ireland; both CC BY 4.0. LiDAR: contains Irish Public Sector Data (Geological Survey Ireland & the Office of Public Works) licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) licence.

No address of the register names Churchland with five sales or more. The sales of the area are on the page of Co. Offaly.

Name

Churchland · Saighir

Area

178,055 m² (17.81 ha, 44 acres)

Civil parish

Seirkieran, and its townlands

Barony

Ballybritt

Electoral division

Seirkieran, the unit of the census

Census 2022

Seirkieran electoral division: 497 people in 163 households; 91% of households own their home; 29% of homes were built since 2001; 7% of dwellings stood vacant on census night, and 1% were holiday homes.

Neighbouring townlands

Bellhill, Breaghmore, Clonmore, Glebe, Grange, Oakleypark

Placenames

Churchland on logainm.ie, the Placenames Database of Ireland

Townlands, civil parishes, baronies and electoral divisions, National Statutory Boundaries, Tailte Éireann, CC BY 4.0. Census 2022, Small Area Population Statistics by electoral division, Central Statistics Office, CC BY 4.0. A townland is the smallest land division of Ireland, and the unit of a rural address; old registers such as the 1901 and 1911 censuses file it under its civil parish and barony.