1994:142 - COOLBANAGHER, Laois

Archaeological excavation continued in advance of the ongoing F.Á.S. sponsored conservation project at Coolbanagher church and graveyard (Excavations 1993, 50). The excavation has uncovered evidence for at least four phases of construction at the site.

Phase 1: Early Christian:
The original stone church was a simple rectangular structure with a trabeated west door and a round-headed east window. The characteristic cyclopean masonry is well preserved in the west gable and the lower north wall. An Early Christian cross slab was also found at the site. The slab had been re-used as a plinth stone in the north chancel wall extension (Phase 3).

Phase 2: Romanesque:
A chancel was added to the Phase 1 church and the west door was altered to accommodate a round-headed arch. The insertion of a chancel arch also necessitated the removal of the east window, which was probably transferred to the east end of the chancel. Only one of the Romanesque chancel arch fragments was found at the site. The plinth of the Phase 1 church was re-used as a step from nave to chancel. The Romanesque doorhead is composed of coarse red sandstone blocks which bear the characteristic incised line decoration. Two architectural fragments from the east window were re-used as packing over the door. This indicates that the removal of the east window was contemporary with the insertion of the Romanesque doorhead. It also indicates that the external arrangement of the window was altered after its removal. The north and south windows of the nave may also have been inserted at this time but their original form is unknown. The present opes are, for the most part, modern.

Phase 3: Late Medieval:
The chancel was extended and the east window was moved yet again. Collapsed architectural fragments from the window were found at the base of the extended gable wall. A second window was inserted at the south-west end of the chancel. A late medieval chamfered limestone sill, which was found lying in the graveyard, was probably taken from this window for re-use as a gravemarker. A Gothic arch of rough stonework, of which only the springers of the south side survive, was also inserted in place of the original Romanesque chancel arch. Indeed there is evidence of late medieval stonework throughout the fabric of the church building.

Phase 4: Modern (non-ecclesiastical):
This phase post-dates the burning of the church which is recorded in the year 1779. The ruins of the building appear to have been converted into an outhouse or barn sometime after this date. The fire damage was extensive and a considerable amount of rendering and repair work was required to stabilise the building prior to use. The west door was repaired and blocked and a new door was inserted at the south-west end of the church. The north and south windows of the nave were also widened at this time.

20–21 Main St., Portlaoise, Co. Laois