There are scant remains of the 14th century church that overlooks Polladstown Fen and its history is also almost unrecorded. What remains are the east and west gables, the south and north walls are reduced to ground level. The west gable has a beautifully preserved triple light window, the lancets have granite mouldings, rounds heads and pointed hoods on the external wall. The graves here are sparse with the only readable stones dating from the 19th and 18th century. The National Monuments Services notes a disused bóithrín (small road) running along the east side of the graveyard that looks as if it leads down to the fen. Though in a poor state this church is still well worth a visit if one happens to be visiting Pollardstown Fen, which is the largest surviving calcareous fen in Ireland. Well laid out wooden walkways are situated above the Fen in an effort to impact as little as possible on this important and beautiful eco-system.

There is a reference in the Dúchas Schools collection of the 1930s to Pollardstown, “At the South of Newbridge at a place called Pollardstown there is a prince’s grave. Prince Connell is buried there and his head-stone is still to be seen at the present day. This is hundreds of years old.” (Laurence O Neill: Informant), however this is the only reference I have found. A previous place visited on this blog is also known as Prince Connell’s Grave, this being Corracloona Tomb in Leitrim (link here)

GPS: 53.1856, -6.85329