churches historical ireland

Founded by the Vikings in the 9th century, the town was granted to the Fitzgeralds in Norman times, though the Byrnes held sway there for a considerable time up to 1542, and burned the town in 1580. Romanesque Doorway: In the 18th century Church of Ireland church of St. Thomas, a fine Romanesque doorway of mid 12th century date has been inserted in the porch, though some of its stones have been wrongly re-set. It comes from a medieval church which was dedicated to St. Thomas, and some of it...

Spiddal Church; The Roman Catholic church in this village is renowned for its architectural excellence. Designed by William Scott and completed in 1904, it is Celtic Romenesque in style, an attempted revival of one of the great periods of Irish Architecture....

A long rectangular church which served the parishioners of the Six Towns area during the later medieval period. Surviving decorative stonework suggests that a 13th century church was replace by another in the later medieval period. What is perhaps of greater interest is the collection of 18th century grave-stones well carved in high relief, which are found in and around the church, where more recent burials are absent....

A replica of Salisbury Cathedral, this architectural gem was completed in 1913 by London businessman John Duguid as a memorial of love to his daughter Constance who was killed in a riding accident near the village in 1888, and his wife Adelaide who died in 1903....

the first church here was founded in 622 by St. Lachtain whose are was preserved in a 12th century shrine now in the National Museum in Dublin. The present church was built in 1730, but in the west gable is preserved a fine 12th century Romanesque doorway taken from an earlier church, the rest of which has now disappeared. The doorway, which is deep and has three orders, is covered by a hood mounding, and on the right and left has some unfortunately weathered figure sculpture. An inscription...

St. Monenna, otherwise known as Darerca or Blinne, who died around 517, chose a peaceful spot on the eastern slope of Slieve Gullion for her foundation, one of the few known early Irish nunneries. It continued in existence for 1,000 years until the Reformation finally put an end to it. what seems at first like a very long church 112dt in length is, in fact, two separate churches built in a straight line, now partially joined by a wall 33 ft long.

The western church is the older of the...

A small 12th century church which consisted of a nave and chancel. Only the foundations of the nave remain, but the chancel is better preserved and contains a rounded east window which splays inwards. It is picturesquely situated beside lake Ballymore....

Although dating from 1857, the interior of this Venetian style harbourside church was refurbished on a maritime theme and is continued as a gleaming tribute to the city's seafaring traditions by a friendly congregation.

Don't miss the stained glass, the bell from HMS Hood and the lifeboat shape collection boxes. Next door is the Belfast Harbour Commissioners Office, an imposing Victorian block open to the public for functions and by arrangement only....

This, the most westerly of the ancient churches, is situated on a small ledge 8 metres above the Upper Lake. Though modified over the centuries, the style of the surrounding original eastern twin-window suggests great antiquity and it is possible the Church was associated with St. Kevin himself in the seventh century. Excavations coducted here at the beginning of the century led to the discovery of much ash, charcoal and debris, lending further credence to the belief that this was originally a...

Pilgrim's Church; at the south-east corner of Gorumna Island is the church referred to as the - Pilgrim's Church - ....