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12th century church in Laois, Ireland From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Killeshin Church is a 12th-century Romanesque church and National Monument located in County Laois, Ireland.
Glenn Uisin | |
| |
  Location within Ireland | |
| Monastery information | |
|---|---|
| Other names | Killushin, Glenn Ussen, Glenn Uissen, Glenn Uisen |
| Order | Celtic Christianity |
| Established | AD 545 |
| Diocese | Leighlin |
| People | |
| Founder(s) | Saint Diarmait mac Siabairr |
| Important associated figures | Saint Comgán |
| Architecture | |
| Status | Inactive |
| Heritage designation | National Monument |
| Style | Irish monastic, Romanesque |
| Site | |
| Location | Killeshin, County Laois |
| Coordinates | 52.84738°N 7.00151°W |
| Visible remains | Part of church (west and east gables; part of north elevation) |
| Public access | yes |
| Official name | Killeshin |
| Reference no. | 115[1] |
Killeshin Church is located near Killeshin village, on the south bank of the Fushoge River (a tributary of the Barrow), about 5 km (3 mi) west of Carlow town. A ringfort, known as Killeshin moat, stands to the southeast.
A monastery was founded on the site c. AD 545 by Diarmait mac Siabairr, a member of the local Uí Bairrche ruling family.[2]
The monastery was plundered by Diarmait mac Máel na mBó in 1041; the dairthech (oak prayer house) was demolished, a hundred people taken away as slaves and 700 cattle also seized. This attack was a retaliation against the burning of Ferns by Murchadh mac Dunlaing and the murder of Domnall Remar (Donal the Fat, Diarmait's brother).[3] Killeshin was burned again in 1077, along with its yew trees.
None of this original monastery survives; a round tower once stood there but was torn down by the landowner in 1704.[4]
The church, built in the 12th century AD (probably in 1150–60),[5] is built of rubble masonry with dressed quoins and is particularly noted for its Romanesque archway, zoomorphic carvings and Scandinavian-influenced knotwork. There is also a granite font.
An inscription near the door reads ORAIT DO DIARMAIT RI LAGEN, Middle Irish for "a prayer for Diarmait, king of Leinster", referring to Diarmait Mac Murchada (r. 1126–71).
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