Issertkelly Church & Graveyard

 

Issertkelly church remains covered in ivy

B. Doherty 2022

 

Issertkelly Church 2022

B. Doherty 2022

 

Progress at Issertkelly

B. Doherty 2024

A second phase of necessary capital works were carried out at Issertkelly Church and Graveyard late Summer 2024. A multi-disciplinary team involved a Grade 1 Conservation Architect Lucy O’Connor, Howley Hayes Cooney Kinvara Consult Engineering, Dominic Delany & Associates, MKO Ltd Ecology Services and Mathieu & Mitchell Heritage Contractors. This followed the preparation of a Conservation Management Plan 2022 and an initial phase of necessary works in 2023 which saw the removal of overgrowth. The unfortunate collapse of the arched doorway in 2023, despite propping and supports resulted in more work than previously expected. Work was funded through the Community Monuments Fund, Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and administered through Galway County Council.

Collapsed Masonry

The collapsed masonry from the arch had been saved on site, including the voisseurs. These voisseurs were used to create matching ones for the outer face, using stone sourced on site. The wall was reconstructed as closely as possible to its original configuration, with the original position of the stones, and jointing to match the record photos and drawings taken prior to its collapse.

Crevices for bats

The remaining upstanding areas of the north wall, and the east end of the south wall were consolidated and repointed. The tops were rough racked to ensure adequate water run-off. Work was fully supervised by the archaeologist and conservation architect. Localised repointing and pinning of large open joints was undertaken elsewhere where there was a risk of masonry loss. Weathered joints in general, which
are still quite sound, or open joints which pose no real risk for masonry loss were retained. These crevices now serve as pockets for nesting bats.

Issert Kelly (Disert – O’Kelly)

The place- name alone suggests that an early medieval ecclesiastical site, probably a hermitage or small monastery, was once located in the area of Issertkelly. The ruinous remains of the church appear to represent a relatively large twelfth or thirteenth century parish church, but it is quite possible that this church was built upon the site of a pre-existing early medieval monastery or hermitage. There is clear evidence for a deserted settlement to the north of the church. Issertkelly Tower House can be seen to the south east of the site.