| Church Ruins
© Kilbroney Church Ruin
There is a church ruin in Athlacca North called Kilbroney
on the land of the Irwin family. Lewis says that this church has some
very interesting tombs to the De Lacy family. Spellissy/O'Brien gives
details of what was left of the ruin. It is said that the ruin dates from
the 15th century. All that remains of the church is one wall. Trees surround
the ruin but the ground around the church is at a higher level than the
rest of the field. Spellissy/O'Brien dates the present ruin from the 15th
century.
Westropp mentions a church in Athlacca North called St Laurence's Church.
However, Westropp also lists a church called Kilbruainy, located near
St Broney's well in Athlacca.
© Church Ruin at Dromin graveyard
There is a church ruin in the graveyard in Dromin. It is believed that
the church was built in the 16th century and was used for Protestant worship
after the Reformation. As you enter the site of the ruin, the first feature
of the ruin that you see is what looks to be the remains of a bell tower.
However, it was actually the living quarters of the priests of the parish.
© Ruin of the Priest's Residence
Over the doorway there is a plaque to the Gubbins family,
who owned Maidstown Castle. Inside the church, there is what appeared
at first to be the entrance to a tunnel. Legend has it that there was
a tunnel that went from here to Maidstown castle. However, according to
"Limerick - The Rich Land", this opening is a crypt which is
believed to be the burial place of John Ormsby who was a member of the
local gentry.
There was an old church in Athlacca but after the Reformation, it was
converted to Protestant worship. The site of this church was in the graveyard
in Athlacca. The original building was still in use until 1813 when it
was knocked to build a new Church of Ireland parish church at the same
site.
There was a mass house in Athlacca at Athlacca Cross.
 
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