Church Ruins at Annagh

Not far away from Urney and closer to our village, although not in our parish, lie the ruins of Annagh parish church, also subject to the Benedictine priory of Fore. According to Philip O'Connell's book “The Diocese of Kilmore”, there exists a reference to it in 1450, in the form of a “Papal Annate” (i.e. a payment by a new bishop of the first year's income). The Royal Society of Antiquarians of Ireland states that the ruins lie in a circular graveyard and that an earlier reference of 1418 can be attributed to it. There is also a record that it was unroofed during the Plantations of the early 1600s. According to the Taylor & Skinner road map of Ireland surveyed in 1777 and published in 1778 the Abbey is referred to as a church ruin. Very Rev. O. F. Traynor, P.P., Ph.D. in More Kilmore Clergy Lists. page 206, BREIFNE 1971. states" This is positive proof that the patron of Annagh is a male Saint Maelan whose feast occurs on the 4 Janurary."

The following is a copy of an article with regard to the parish church at Annagh which was written by the ROYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF IRELAND.

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According to the JOURNAL OF THE ASSOCIATION FOR THE PRESERVATIOIN OF THE MEMORIALS OF THE DEAD IN IRELAND, VOL4., P. 200. in reference to Annagh graveyard. It states that at the back of the church wall is the following inscription by Hugh O'Reilly of Annagh House :-

Beneath this stone old Michael lies

To SHERIDAN he brought no stain

Faithful as he who in disguise

With Charles left Culloden's plain

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Though poor was he, his mind was cast

As his who mad old Drury ring,

In humble toils his lot was cast

His grandshire fought for Stuart's king.