Hospital Church

On the northern outskirts of Hospital stands the medieval ruins of Hospital Church. Resembling a castle the church belonged to the Order of the Knights of St John of Jerusalem and was known as the Hospital of Any. It was founded by Geoffrey de Marisco in 1215 and in 1216 he received from King John an issue of unlimited protection of the Prior of St John of Jerusalem. In 1541, Henry VIII granted Eneas O’Heffernan, the last preceptor, a pension of £28 17s 8d. The following year Henry VIII granted O’Heffernan the vacant bishopric of Emly. Shortly after the dissolution of the monasteries, the church was dissolved and eventually, after a previous lease, was leased to Capt. William Apsley in 1578.

Hospital Church stands today on the north side of Hospital graveyard with a Roman Catholic Church to its west. Hospital Church has a prominent base batter and narrow slit-like arched windows. The tower, at the western side of the Church, had a barrel vault on the first floor. Architectural details include a medieval carving of the crucifixion of Jesus and two tomb effigies.

One of the tombs has been greatly disturbed, but a carving of a knight and his wife is discernible. The second tomb is thought to be the tomb of Geoffrey de Marisco.

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