OLD CHURCH KILGLASS
 

The Ordnance Survey map shows an old church and St. Patrick's Well in Lacken townland. It is not known if this is older than the ruins in Kilglass graveyard, which appears to date from the late Middle Ages. Kilglass may be the successor to an older church on the same site.

There are the ruins of a Penal Day church in Leaffoney townland, which tradition says was in use after the time Father Lavelle came to the parish, (l83l).

The site of a Mass-house is also pointed out on Michael Sweeney's land in Quigabar.

Tradition also points out the Chapel Field in Glann, where it is said that Dr. Bellew gave Confirmation to a large number of people. He died in l8l2.

The Irish Calendar of Patent Rolls of James I lists the following among grants in Tieragh made in l6l8 to Donogh O'Dowde of Dunmeakan, Esq.... an old stone house adjoining the little church of Iniskerowan...It is not certain whether this refers to one of the churches mentioned above or to a separate church.

The old Kilglass church had gone out of use before the end of the l7th century. In it there is the tombstone of Coronet James Woods, who died in l692.

At one time this used to be mistaken for the tomb of Duald McFirbis, who was stabbed to death at Doonflin in l670 while on his way to Dublin, although then over 80 years old.

In the church also there is a gravestone to the memory of Rev. Anthony Bourke, P.P. of Kilglass and Canon of Ardagh, who died on 2O/4/l803, at the age of 59. Up to l829,

when Kilglass Church of Ireland church was built, the old graveyard was the only burial place for all the residents in the area.

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