Killevy Churches, Ballintemple Road, Newry, Co Armagh

Killevy Churches comprises a remarkable survival of a medieval church complex located within a churchyard, retaining several noteworthy features. The site contains two long, rectangular churches aligned east-west. Originally separated by a 10-meter gap, the side walls of the eastern church were extended to meet the gable of the western church. Both sections are now roofless, displaying random rubble granite walls that have recently been repointed. Granite dressings are present throughout.

The western church is the earlier of the two. Its west gable features squared granite quoins on the left end and a centered doorway with a massive dressed granite lintel and jambs. The north elevation is blank, while the east gable contains a small, segmental-headed window opening. The south elevation is ruinous and not to its original height. A small, rectangular walled structure adjoins the left end of the south elevation, incorporating a low, lintelled opening into the church.

The eastern church's north elevation contains a doorway on the left, with dressed granite jambs and a flat head. The east gable is strongly battered towards its base and retains traces of finely dressed stone coping on moulded kneelers. A Gothic window opening with irregular stone voussoirs and dressed, chamfered jambs featuring figurative heads (the one on the left being crowned) is centered on the east gable. The south elevation has a flat-headed window opening towards the right; the original west gable is gone.

The churchyard is enclosed by a rubble stone boundary wall with lime strap pointing, although some areas have been repointed with cement. A pair of cement-rendered gate piers, square in section with chamfered corners and pyramidal concrete caps, support wrought iron gates. A range of memorials, primarily from the 18th and 19th centuries, are located within the churchyard, facing east and consisting of engraved field stones, slate, and stone memorials. Behind the churchyard is the McCoy burial plot, enclosed by wrought-iron railings.

The western church's west wall, featuring the massive lintelled door, may date to the 10th or 11th centuries. The remainder of the western church is from the 12th century. The eastern church was constructed in the 13th century, with a decorated east window dating to the 15th century. A nunnery was established on the site in the 5th century by St Monnina (also known as St Dareaca or St Bline), believed to be a sister of St Patrick. A nearby well has been dedicated to her.