saint audoen s church

The church was founded by the Anglo-Normans and dedicated to the Norman saint, St Audoen o Rouen. It was one of a group of Guild Chapels, and one of the leading churches in Dublin in its day. Public announcements, such as the Pronouncements of Papal Bulls, were made here, and public penances performed.

The west doorway probably dates to around 1200, but the lower portion of the tower above it is largely 17th century in date. The present church consists only of the nave of the original church dating to the first half of the 13th century; new windows were inserted into it in the 15th century.

The original chancel is now roofless. In 1431 a chapel was built and dedicated to St. Ann. About twenty years later sir Roland Fitzeustace, Baron of Portlester, built a chapel in the south side of the nave. The Portlester cenotaph, with effigies of himself and his wife, was later removed from this chapel to its present position in the porch beneath the tower.
On the north side there was also a chapel dedicated to the Blessed Virgin.