churches historical ireland

This beautiful building dates back to the seventeenth century but its excellent state of repair is due to the refurbishment carried out by a Rev. Joseph Espine in the 1730's, and later alterations carried out in 1872 when the vicarage was bought back by the Swords Vestry....

A small but broad early church with antae and flat-headed doorway (partly reconstructed) on a site said to have been founded by St. Mel in the 5th century. During the course of excavations in 1967, traces of a timber church, possibly of 8th century date, were found beneath it....

Situated 3km north-west of Kilmurvey, the miscalled - Seven Churches - mark an ancient site dedicated to Saint Breacan. The name is loosely applied to the remains of two small churches, Teampall Bhreacain and Teampaill an Phoill. Close to the churches, on the south-west, is Leaba an Spioraid Naoimh (bed of the Holy Spirit), a penitential station with fragments of a figured high cross. Nearby, to the south-east, is Leaba Bhreacain, another station.

To the north of Leaba an Spioraid Naoi...

It is believed that when the French family came to Doorus in the 17th century they brought with them several Franciscans from Galway who were lodged in a renovated portion of this very old church. At the east end stands the impressive tomb of the French and de Basterot families....

William Carleton the novelist went to hedge school here. Hedge schools were formed during the times of the Penal Laws to covertly educate a population which had no state recognition.

Carleton was born in Clogher and his novels including 'The Fair of Emyvale', reflect colourful local characters of his time....

The remains of a church built possibly in the 15th century. The eastern portion is probably the earliest; the western part, with its massive tower and belfry, was added later.

In the 13th century the site was attached to the church at Balrothery and was granted to the religious house at Kilbixy by the Archbishop of Dublin.
It was subsequently made tributary to Lusk. A castle stood formerly to the north of the church....

This chapel, the smallest in Ireland and probably the second smallest in the world, is wonderful example of one man's true love for his wife. It was commissioned by Edward Costello in the memory of his wife Mary Josephine Costello after she died at the age of 47 on 6th of October 1877.

On April 22nd 1879 the Chapel was dedicated, Requiem Mass was offered and Mary Josephine's remains were interred in a sunken place to the left of the entrance Edward Costello died at the age of 68 o...

Teallach Eanna situated slightly east of the village of Cinn Eanna (Killeany) is regarded as the holiest place on Aran, with, according to tradition, the graves of 1200 saints.

All that remains here is a small early church, and the shaft of a finely-carved high cross. A few yards to the north-west of the doorway is a leac or flagstone, which is said to cover the grave of Saint Eanna....

Completed in 1819, this almost Spanish-looking church was built on land donated by James de Basterot of Duras....

South of the village of Emyvale on the Dublin road is Corracrin Church. Buried in the churchyard is Canon Patrick Moynagh, a priest who orchestrated emigration from here to Prince Edward Island in the years immediately preceding the famine of 1845. Strong ties between Emyvale and Prince Edward Island in Canada exist to this day....