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Killulta Church

Coordinates: 52°37′44″N 8°50′10″W / 52.6290°N 8.8360°W / 52.6290; -8.8360
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Killulta Church
Kildimo Church
Cill Ulta
Killulta Church is located in Ireland
Killulta Church
Killulta Church
52°37′44″N 8°50′10″W / 52.6290°N 8.8360°W / 52.6290; -8.8360
LocationGlennameade, Kildimo, County Limerick
CountryIreland
DenominationCatholic (pre-Reformation)
History
DedicationSaint Ultan (?)
Architecture
Functional statusinactive
StyleCeltic
Years built9th century AD?
Specifications
Length5 m (16 ft)
Width5 m (16 ft)
Nave width3 m (9.8 ft)
Number of floors1
Floor area15 m2 (160 sq ft)
Materialsstone, mortar
Administration
DioceseLimerick
Designations
Official nameKillulta Church
Reference no.341

Killulta Church is a medieval church and a National Monument in County Limerick, Ireland.[1]

Location

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The church is located 1.6 kilometres (0.99 mi) west-northwest of Kildimo village, in the western part of the Maigue valley, southwest of Dromore Lough and Bleach Lough.[2]

History

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Killulta church is believed to be one of the oldest stone churches in Ireland.[3]

Samuel Lewis incorrectly claimed it was built by the Knights Templar in 1290. However, others date the church to pre-1100, even as early as the 5th century AD. Most scholars date it to the 9th century.[citation needed]

Local historian Mairtín Ó Corrbhuí records that a bronze pin and bronze sword were found near the church.[citation needed]

The name is believed to mean "church of the Ulsterman" or "church of Saint Ultan."[4]

It was also known as Kellallathan (cealla leathan, "broad church").[5][6]

Church

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Another view of the building

Killulta measures 5 × 3 metres on the inside, with walls 1 metre thick. It is constructed of large stones and has a plain doorway and triangular-headed east window.[7][8]

References

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  1. ^ "Limerick City and County Museum". museum.limerick.ie.
  2. ^ Begley, John (7 July 2017). "The Diocese of Limerick, Ancient and Medieval". Browne & Nolan – via Google Books.
  3. ^ "Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy: Biological, geological and chemical science. Section B." The Academy. 7 July 2017 – via Google Books.
  4. ^ "Kildimo-Pallaskenry Church Ruins". www.limerickdioceseheritage.org.
  5. ^ MacCotter, Paul. "Parish, pastoral care and tuath in the diocese of Limerick". Journal of the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland.
  6. ^ MacCaffrey, James (7 July 2017). "The Black Book of Limerick: With Introduction and Notes". M. H. Gill & Son – via Google Books.
  7. ^ Leask, Harold Graham (7 July 2017). "Irish Churches and Monastic Buildings". Dundalgan Press – via Google Books.
  8. ^ Publications, Robert Nicholson (7 July 1983). Nicholson's Guide to Ireland. R. Nicholson Publications. ISBN 9780905522715 – via Google Books.