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duleek churches and crosses

Duleek Churches And Crosses

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Duleek
Meath
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St. Patrick placed St. Cianan over the first church here in the 5th century. St. Cianan, who is credited with the building of the first stone church in Ireland, died in 489 and his body was said to have been preserved without decay. The monastery was plundered at least 10 times between 830 and 1149. The bodies of King Brian Boru and the other heroes slain at the Battle of Clontarf in 1014 rested here for a night before being brought to Armagh for burial. Duleek became the centre of a diocese in 1110, but in the late 12th century Bishop Simon de Rochfort had it merged with the diocese of Meath. The last skirmish in the Battle of the Boyne took place nearby, and King William slept here after the battle.

The Priory:
The Augustinians may have been introduced to Duleek by 1150, but Hugh de Lacy founded an Augustinian house nearby in 1182. The present priory is possibly a part of that monastery. Parts of the Arcade of the church may be 13th century and the south wall of the south aisle may be 14th century, but the tower is certainly 15th century.
In the north aisle is the tomb of Dr. Cusack, the Catholic Bishop of Meath from 1679 to 1688. In the centre of the nave is the altar tomb of the Prestons and Plunketts, with representations of SS Katherine, Patrick(?) and Peter at the west end, the Crucifixion, angels and St. Michael at the east end, the Instruments of the Passion on the north side and the Bellew, Preston and Plunkett arms on the south. In the tower some Romanesque fragments are preserved.

A Round Tower originally stood immediately to the north of the tower, and the square tower was built around it, but only the impression of the Round Tower remains in the wall of the square tower. To the north of the modern church stands a squat High Cross, probably of 9th century date. On the west face is the Crucifixion and some scenes perhaps illustrating the early life of the Virgin Mary. The cross is decorated with bosses, interlacing and two Evangelists' symbols - the eagle and the ox.

St. Cianan's Church
A medieval church with south doorway, possibly incorporating parts of an earlier church. Built into the north wall is a large stone with the rough inscription OR DO SCANLAN (A prayer for Scanlan).

Dowdall Cross:
A wayside cross built by Dame Jennet Dowdall in 1601 and repaired in 1810. The two top pieces may have been added later. On the cross there are a number of figures including an angel with a coat of arms, St. Peter, St. Patrick and St. Keenane (Cianan) on the east face; St. George and the Dragon (?), an angel, St. Mary Magdalen, St. James and St. Thomas on the north face; St. George, St. Andrew, St. Katherine and St. Stephen on the south face, and an angel and the Bathe coat of arms and an inscription on the west face. The inscription reads THIS CROSS WAS BUILDED BY IENNET DOWDALL WIFE TO WILLIAM BATHE OF ATHCARN JUSTICE OF HER MAJESTIS COURT OF COMMON PLEAS FRO HIM AND HER ANO 1601. HE DECEACED THE 15 OF OC 1599 BURIED IN THE CHURCH OF DULEEK. WHOSE SOULES I PRAY GOD TAKE TO HIS MERCIE
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