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I Location

II General Description

A small nave and chancel church consisting of a 10thc. nave with antae, measuring c. 11.5 x 7.5 m internally. It has a flat-headed W doorway with inclined jambs with a moulded frame and a cross on the lintel. The chancel was added c.1200. It measures c. 5.7 x 4.7 m internally. There are the remains of a stone altar under the E window. The lower parts of the chancel are modern.

IV Interior Features

1. Arches

(i) Chancel arch

Pointed arch, with a keeled angle roll flanked by hollows on the W face. The jambs are modern. One section of chamfered abacus on the N jamb is original. At the springing of the N side of the arch, facing the nave, a seated figure is carved at the base of the angle roll, with hands on knees, and knees together on the line of the arris.

 

V Furnishings

1. Fonts

(i)

Located on the N side of the W doorway, against the W wall of nave.

The font has a circular bowl with, at the top of the bowl, projections at four equidistant points from which mouldings continue down to join angle rolls on the stem. The basin is circular with a drain hole. The stem is rectangular and chamfered, with angle rolls on the chamfers. It is carved in one piece with a square base. The plinth is plain and flat.

Dimensions

VI Loose Sculpture

(i) Arch fragment

A fragment from a round-headed window arch, with chamfer and rebate, survives in the chancel. It is probably from a chancel window.

(ii) Trumpet scallop capital

A trumpet scallop capital is set into the wall of the nearby later medieval priory.

VII History

The monastery at Fore was founded by St Fechin in the 7thc. There are frequent records of the monastery being burned and attacked, with two such events taking place in 1163 and 1169, and was also attacked by the Anglo-Normans and the Uí Briuin in 1176. Most of the lands around Fore were granted to Hugh de Lacey in c.1180 and he was responsible for the foundation of a Benedictine abbey close to the early monastic site. The church has been repaired at various times since 1912 by the Office of Public works, including the reconstruction of the chancel arch in 1934.

VIII Comments/Opinions  

A motif similar to that on the chancel arch, with a figure placed on the angle of a stone with hands clasped around bent knees, is found on a reused stone at Rath (Clare).

IX Bibliography