maghera church

The site of a monastery founded by St Lurach in the 6th century, Maghera was the seat of a bishopric in the 12th/13th centuries. Parts of the now roofless rectangular church may date from before this period, though it is difficult to say how much earlier.

It was extended further to the east at the same time that the most important feature of the church was inserted in the west wall - a doorway dating probably from the episcopate of Muiredach O'Coffy (1152-73). The most important single Romanesque monument in Ulster, this doorway consists of jambs in two orders decorated with floral ornament, animals interlace and a single figure on each side (one perhaps St. Lurach?), supporting a 5.5 foot long lintel bearing a representation of the Crucifixion. Christ, with extended emaciated arms and wearing a loin-cloth, is placed against the background of the cross with decorative arm-ends. He is flanked by Stephaton the sponge-bearer on his left, and Longinus balancing him on Christ's right; on to the face of Longinus spurt three strands of blood emerging from the wound which his spear inflicted.