2025:648 - Aghanagh Church, Aghanagh, Sligo

Conservation works were carried out in 2025 at the ruins of Aghanagh Church (RMP No. SL040-171001), in Aghanagh townland, near Ballinafad, County Sligo. The works were carried out under Ministerial Consent No. C001487, funded under the Community Monuments Fund and monitored by the writer.

The church, which is missing its east gable, is constructed of regularly coursed limestone rubble and measures 18m east-west and 9m wide. It is entered via an arched doorway of two orders, located towards the western end of the north wall which stands to its full height of over 3m. Prior to the works, the central section of the west gable was in a poor structural state and was in danger of collapse. The remains of a large tree located adjacent to the internal face of the gable had contributed to this. A 3.3m long section of the south wall, at its western end, was partially collapsed with the remaining upstanding section leaning outwards. A prominent bulge was visible along a section of the south wall, midway along its length. There was evidence of modern repair above and to the west of a narrow splayed light set in an embrasure near the east end of the south wall. The interior of the church contained marked burials and a large mausoleum, the doorway of which was blocked by a graveslab decorated with a coat of arms (RMP No. SL040-171005). A large store of rubble located along the east end of the north wall may be the product of a graveyard clean up in the 1990s.

The conservation works consisted of the removal of vegetation from the church and the consolidation of the upstanding walls. All collapsed material or loose stone within, or in close proximity to the church was inspected for possible re-use in the works. A cut stone register was established for any cut and dressed stone. Six architectural fragments were identified during the works.

Works to the north doorway required a small excavation on the internal side of the western jamb, to expose the foundation, or a suitable base, upon which to reconstruct the jamb, which was missing.   The area excavated measured 0.9-1m east-west by 0.4-0.5m and 0.25-0.35m deep. On the surface was a thin layer of organic material and ivy roots which contained mortar, loose small rocks, plastic and modern stone chippings. Below it was a thin layer of topsoil which also contained ivy roots, small rocks, mortar and stone chippings. Below the topsoil was a more solid layer of larger rocks.

A 6.3m long and 1.3m high section along the top of the south wall was dismantled on the advise of the structural engineers, due to fears over its stability and likely collapse. The section was hand-drawn prior to its careful removal with the stone blocks stored along the inside of the boundary wall of the graveyard (RMP No. SO040-171002) in which the church stands. A pattress plate was inserted through the wall below the dismantled section.