Ballylarkin Church, Kilkenny

Ballylarkin

Parish Church

Known locally as Ballylarkin Abbey, this small building was actually a 13th century parish church. Ballylarkin derives from Baile Uí Lorcáin meaning Town of Ó Lorcáin. The church was fortified with a protected wall-walk and a small north entrance. From the exterior the building appears quite simple, so I was surprised to find a superbly carved triple sedilia that had been inserted into the south wall in the 14th century. A refined carving of a sheela-na-gig was originally present at Ballylarkin but has been moved to the National Museum for safe-keeping.

Piscina

East window

East window and sedilia

Triple sedilia

Situated: From Freshford head west on Bohercrussia Street. Stay on this road for 3 kilometres. The Church is in the field on your left.

Discovery Map 60: S 3867 6367. Last visit June 2013.

Longitude: 7° 25' 39" W

Latitude: 52° 43' 22" N

Google Map

Photos: Jim Dempsey.

Ballylarkin Parish Church Known locally as Ballylarkin Abbey, this small building was actually a 13th century parish church. Ballylarkin derives from Baile Uí Lorcáin meaning Town of Ó Lorcáin. The church was fortified with a protected wall-walk and a small north entrance. From the exterior the building appears quite simple, so I was surprised to find a superbly carved triple sedilia that had been inserted into the south wall in the 14th century. A refined carving of a sheela-na-gig was originally present at Ballylarkin but has been moved to the National Museum for safe-keeping.
Piscina	East window
East window and sedilia	Triple sedilia
Situated: From Freshford head west on Bohercrussia Street. Stay on this road for 3 kilometres. The Church is in the field on your left. Discovery Map 60: S 3867 6367. Last visit June 2013. Longitude: 7° 25' 39" W Latitude: 52° 43' 22" N Google Map Photos: Jim Dempsey.