Killulta Church
Killulta Church | |||||||||
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Kildimo Church | |||||||||
Cill Ulta | |||||||||
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52°37′44″N 8°50′10″W / 52.6290°N 8.8360°W | |||||||||
Location | Glennameade, Kildimo, County Limerick | ||||||||
Country | Ireland | ||||||||
Denomination | Catholic (pre-Reformation) | ||||||||
History | |||||||||
Dedication | Saint Ultan (?) | ||||||||
Architecture | |||||||||
Functional status | inactive | ||||||||
Style | Celtic | ||||||||
Years built | 9th century AD? | ||||||||
Specifications | |||||||||
Length | 5 m (16 ft) | ||||||||
Width | 5 m (16 ft) | ||||||||
Nave width | 3 m (9.8 ft) | ||||||||
Number of floors | 1 | ||||||||
Floor area | 15 m2 (160 sq ft) | ||||||||
Materials | stone, mortar | ||||||||
Administration | |||||||||
Diocese | Limerick | ||||||||
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Killulta Church is a medieval church and a National Monument in County Limerick, Ireland.[1]
Location
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
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
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e7/Killulta_Church_Ruins%2C_Limerick.jpg/220px-Killulta_Church_Ruins%2C_Limerick.jpg)
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
- ^ "Limerick City and County Museum". museum.limerick.ie.
- ^ Begley, John (7 July 2017). "The Diocese of Limerick, Ancient and Medieval". Browne & Nolan – via Google Books.
- ^ "Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy: Biological, geological and chemical science. Section B." The Academy. 7 July 2017 – via Google Books.
- ^ "Kildimo-Pallaskenry Church Ruins". www.limerickdioceseheritage.org.
- ^ MacCotter, Paul. "Parish, pastoral care and tuath in the diocese of Limerick". Journal of the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland.
- ^ MacCaffrey, James (7 July 2017). "The Black Book of Limerick: With Introduction and Notes". M. H. Gill & Son – via Google Books.
- ^ Leask, Harold Graham (7 July 2017). "Irish Churches and Monastic Buildings". Dundalgan Press – via Google Books.
- ^ Publications, Robert Nicholson (7 July 1983). Nicholson's Guide to Ireland. R. Nicholson Publications. ISBN 9780905522715 – via Google Books.