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A monastery was founded at this site in the 6thc by St Finian. The church was one of the prebends of St Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin from c.1200 but was annexed to Glendalough (Wicklow) in 1467. The current church dates to the 15thc.
The carved head is certainly in a secondary position, and has features typical of many Romanesque heads. However, it is not possible to ascribe a 12thc date with absolute certainty. If Romanesque, it may have formed part of a doorway or chancel arch comparable to Dysart O'Dea (Galway), Inchagoill (Galway) and Ballysodare (Sligo).
F. E. Ball, A History of the County of Dublin, 3, Dublin, 1905,136–9.
P. Harbison, Guide to the National and Historic Monuments of Ireland, Dublin, 1992, 134.
L. Swan, 'Newcastle Lyons - the prehistoric and early Christian period' in Newcastle Lyons: a Parish of the Pale, ed. P. O'Sullivan, 9. Dublin, 1986.
