Taghmon Church

Taghmon Church is a fortified church and National Monument in County Westmeath, Ireland.

Location

Taghmon Church is located east of Crookedwood, southeast of Lough Derravaragh.

History

A monastery was established on the site in the 6th or 7th century by Fintán, also called Munna or Munnu. St. Munna's was built as a fortified church in the early 15th century. It was plundered by Farrell Mageoghegan in 1452. After the Reformation the church passed to the Nugent family. It was almost ruined by 1622. The church is recorded as being in use again by the Church of Ireland by 1755 and was restored extensively in 1843.

Church

The church is a single cell with a barrel-vaulted roof. It has battlements with Irish crenellations and a machicolation above the door. The church and tower also have a pronounced base-batter. The tall tower at the west end of the church provided security for the clergy. There is a sheela-na-gig above the first window of the north wall.
The tower is four storeys high, with vaulted ceilings over the first and third storeys. The second floor was the living area, with fireplace, window seats and a slop stone. Above this was a bedroom and garderobe.