All that remains of this 12th century church is the west wall facing the street which separate it from the round tower. It was part of a monastery founded by St. Cronan in the 6th century. It has a wonderful Romanesque doorway of three orders whose fine decorations are fading away. Each of the four capitals is adorned with a carved human head. The doorway protrudes from the wall and has an acute tympanum above it that houses the figure of a bishop, though his features are very worn out. Probably he is St. Cronan himself. On either sides of the doorway are two blind arches with smaller tympanums. The west wall features antae, projecting segments of the side walls used to support the roof. On the top of the gable is an intact bellcot. Four steps lead through the doorway towards east (100°). Behind this ruins is the modern Church of Ireland church built in the 1812 using most of the stones from the 12th century church which was demolished to this purpose. Unfortunately this west gable is right on the blind bend of the road, so taking pictures of the details on the facade can be highly dangerous. More, I fear that heavy traffic will quickly deteriorate or damage the monument, both for vehicle exhausts and for possible vehicles driving into the walls. To the south of the remaining wall is the copy of a High Cross from the 12th century, the original being in the nearby museum.
|