saint columbas church

SORD COLUMBCILLE is the ancient name of this town, meaning the well of pure water of the dove of the Church. The "Dove" means St. Columba, (from "Colombe" a dove). His sanctity caused him to be called the "Dove of the Church" (from the Latin "Cella"). The well is the one which the Saint caused to be made, which can still be found, near this place, a well of pure water, used to this day.

St. Columba founded the town about 560 A.D. He left Ireland in 563 A.D. to go to Iona, so the town's earliest date could be soon after the Saint founded DURROW in 553.

The Church was designed by a Mr.Trench of Hayward, near Ballynakill, and the architect was Mr. William Farrell of Dublin. The cost of the Church was then £2200.