Rahan Monastic Site: A Conservation Plan Prepared by Howley Hayes Architects

Description

The completion of this conservation plan for the Church of St. Carthage and its well-preserved, early monastic setting fulfils one of the aims of the Offaly Heritage Plan 2007-2011. It was commissioned by Offaly County Council and carried out by Howley Hayes Architects in association with Caimin O’Brien, archaeologist with the Archaeological Survey of Ireland, which is a section of the National Monuments Service. The objective of the Heritage Plan is to assess the cultural significance of the place, to identify threats to this significance and to formulate policies to address these threats to ensure the successful preservation and long-term management of this important cultural landscape. Acknowledgements 9 Foreword 10 Preface 11 Location map 12 1. INTRODUCTION 14 1.1 The Site 14 1.2 Background and Approach 14 1.3 Aims and Objectives 15 1.4 Project Team 15 1.5 Stakeholders 15 1.6 Sources 16 1.7 Consultation 16 1.8 Placenames 16 1.9 Architectural Plans 18 2. UNDERSTANDING THE PLACE 26 2.1 Historical Development 26 Early History 26 Sixteenth and Seventeenth Century 29 Eighteenth Century 29 Nineteenth Century 30 Twentieth Century Restoration 32 Twenty-first Century Repairs 37 3. PHYSICAL EVIDENCE 39 3.1 Sub-surface Archaeology 39 Monastic Enclosure and Earthworks 39 3.2 Above Ground Archaeology 40 Church of St Carthage 40 Suggested Building Works for the Church of St Carthage 44 Small Church 46 Site of Third Church 47 Rahan Castle 47 Tower House 47 Early Christian Cross-Slabs 49 Loose Sculpture – Romanesque Scalloped Capital 49 Seventeenth Century Graveslabs 49 Eighteenth and Nineteenth Century Memorials 49 Standing Stone and/or Pillar Stone 49 Graveyard and Graveyard Wall 49 3.3 Artefacts Associated with the Site 50 Sheela-na-Gig 50 The Book of Rahan 50 Saxon Coin Hoard 51 Bullaun Stones 51 Whetstone, Knife and Copper Mount 51 Casts of Circular Window and Columns of Chancel Arch 51 3.4 Ecology 52 3.5 Folklore 53 The Bell of Mochuda 53 Expulsion of St Carthage 53 Martyrology of Oengus 53 4. ASSESSMENT and STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE 54 4.1 Assessment of Significance 54 Archaeological Significance 54 Historical Significance 54 Architectural Significance 54 Artistic Significance 55 Social and Spiritual Significance 55 4.2 Statement of Significance 57 5. DEFINING THE ISSUES and ASSESSING VULNERABILITY 60 5.1 Ownership 60 5.2 Statutory Protection 60 5.3 Condition of Historic Fabric 61 5.4 Use 62 5.5 Access 62 5.6 Resources 62 6. CONSERVATION POLICIES 63 6.1 General approach 63 6.2 Use 63 6.3 Access 63 6.4 Church of St. Carthage 64 6.5 Small Church and Tower House 66 6.6 Church of Ireland graveyard 67 6.7 Ecology 68 6.8 Maintenance 68 6.9 Monitoring 69 6.10 Interpretation 69 LIST OF IMAGES 70 BIBLIOGRAPHY 72 ABBREVIATIONS 74 APPENDICES 75 Appendix 1. Definitions outlined in the Burra Charter 75 Appendix 2. Nineteenth and Twentieth Century Descriptions of Rahan 76 Appendix 3. Rahan — Timeline of Historical Events 84 Appendix 4. New Parish of Fir Chell 86 Appendix 5. Explanation of historical documents referred to in the Conservation Plan 86 Appendix 6. Martyrology of Rahan 89 Appendix 7. Table of Archaeological Monuments in Rahan and their listing in the Sites and Monuments Record for Co. Offaly (SMR) 89 ENDNOTES 90