Kilcash Church

Kilcash Church and graveyard lies south-east of Slievenamon Bog in the village of Kilcash. The church is sited on the monastic foundation of 6^th century Irish saint Colmán ua hEirc. The church, circa 1190-1200, was granted by Baldwin Niger to the Fratres Cruciferi hospital of the Priory of St John the Baptist. The transfer of ownership was not confirmed until 1353, by the Bishop of Lismore. In 1389 Kilcash Church was enlarged. After the Dissolution of the Monasteries, John White leased the church.

In 1656 the church was noted to have still been roofed. The church was built using blocks of sandstone. Possible remains of an original antae can be found in the rebuilt north wall. The original western doorway was replaced by a chancel arch joining the newly built nave. Entry to the nave was via the Romanesque sandstone doorway. The doorway shows three decorative orders, including chevrons. Light to the nave was provided by two round-headed sandstone single-lit windows. Very worn architectural fragments remain, including Romanesque decoration, in the nave.

Kilcash graveyard contains headstones dating to the 17^th century. Headstones from the 18^th century show elaborate carved designs of the Crucifixion. The mausoleum at the northern end of the graveyard was built by the Butler family in the late 17^th / early 18^th century. Interred within the mausoleum are Col. Thomas Butler of Kilcash (d.1738), Lady Iveagh Margaret Butler (d. 1744), Archbishop of Cashel Christopher Butler (d. 1757), 16^th Earl of Ormond Walter Butler (d. 1773) and 17^th Earl of Ormond John Butler (d. 1795). The mausoleum was sealed in 1991.

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This national monument is protected in accordance with the National Monuments Acts 1930 to 2014