Kilballyowen church is an old medieval flagstone and shale single bell church. The roof, double string course and large number of block holes suggests that there was once wooden batons across the top of the ruins.
The name Kilballyowen comes from the Irish Cill Bhaile Eoghain, meaning the church of the town or townland of Saint John the Baptist. The many burials have lifted the ground level over time which shows in some of the structures of the walls appearing to be closer to the ground than intended.
A lot of the headstones show iconography from the crucifixion and there are 4 fairly ornate mausoleums around the outer grounds.
There is a small doorway at the far side of the building gain access inside. Enjoy taking in the views of the Shannon estuary. I can thoroughly recommend a sunrise/set in the area as the light really enhances the church ruins.
A very big thank you to Fr. Michael for giving us permission to set up a cache here, we're very grateful, so please be respectful when inside the graveyard, and remember the only thing us geocachers should leave behind is our footprints. Please return the stone in place and ensure the cache is well covered.
//sculptures.fiercer.steer
Happy caching!