Togher Churches 03 - The Teampalleen

 Example Illustration of the Little Temple

 The other Church of antiquity in Togher was originally located at the now present day entrance to Matthews Hill with its adjoining graveyard across the road being demolished in 1983 for the construction of 3 Bungalows ( Local rumour has it that strange goings on of a supernatural bent were reported by the new occupiers ). The Teampalleen - ( Little Temple? ) - as it was known was built in the 12th Century by the Normans being constructed of cut limestone blocks. Quite why this Church and its close relation in Killeenreendowney were allowed to decay is subject to conjecture. Certainly the re-conquest of Ireland in the 17th Century played a major part in their demise.

Old photo of heavily overgrown 
Teampalleen graveyard with headstones

It is recorded that a road was put through the Church and Graveyard possibly 16th Century , forever separating them. This would suggest a possible timeline for the emergence of the Woulfe Family as a major landowner in the region on whose lands the Teampalleen was then situated. The Church grew out of use but the Graveyard continued as a burial place right up until the 17th Century , eventually too falling out of official use , albeit up to the middle of the 20th Century becoming the last resting place of unbaptised babies and waifs and strays. Construction work in the late 1990s near the location of the ancient church found carved blocks but an excavation permit was refused.

 Modern day Location of Teampalleen : 

Graveyard was in situ on Left side of road ; 
Church was in situ on Right side of road