churches historical ireland

Waterford was founded by the Vikings around 914 and initiated its own episcopal See in the 11th century. It was taken by Diarmuid Mac Murrough Kavanagh, and later fell to Strongbow who married MacMurrough's daughter in the now no longer existing Cathedral in the town. In medieval times it was a flourishing port, loyal to the English crown. However, it lost status by remaining Catholic, and submitted to Cromwell's son-in-law in 1650. In the 18th and early 19th century, the town had a famous g...

St Mary's Church, on the opposite side of Dorset Street, is known as 'the Black Church' after the black calp stone of which it is built.

Dublin legend has it that if you go twice round the Black Church at midnight, the devil will appear....

St Columba's 'Long Tower' is another very important Derry church. It was the first Catholic church erected in the city after the momentous events of the reformation and plantation. It is decorated in a brilliant neo-Renaissance style. Built originally in 1784, St Columba's occupies the precincts of another of Derry's famous medieval churches the Tempull Mor or great Church. This was built in the 1160's at a time when a reasonably large township had grown up around the ancient monastery.
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The Protestant church built in 1820 is a fine structure which contains a silver copy of the famous Cross of Cong, placed there in memory of the late Sir William Murphy.

The Catholic church built in 1830 stands on the site of the famous clochan, or beehive-shaped monastic stone hut from which the town takes its name....

In the 17th and 18th centuries Kinsale was an important English naval base. This is reflected in the architecture of the town which, with its 18th century flavour and a whiff of the distant southern shores reached by its mariners, makes Kinsale into the town with what, in my opinion, is the most individual character in the country. In the town and its surroundings are some interesting monuments. St. Multose Church: The present Church of Ireland Parish church, founded probably by de Cogan...

This great monastery was founded in 548-9 by St. Ciaran, who sought peace here when he abandoned his cell on Hare Island in Lough Ree. Dermot, a local prince, helped him erect the first posts for his church and, when Dermot was elected High King shortly afterwards, he richly endowed the monastery. Although St. Ciaran did not live long after the foundation, the monastery grew rapidly. It was plundered six times between 834 and 1012, and burned 26 times between 841 and 1204. In 845 Turgesius,...

A small treeless island 300 yards offshore from Coliemore harbour, where row-boats may be hired.

The island is uninhabited and its main interest is the early church dedicated to Saint Begnet near the landing place on the west shore. It has prominent antae and a massively lintelled doorway with slightly inclined jambs. The original roof was probably thatch or shingles, but medieval slates discovered in the course of excavation show that the church remained in use for some considerabl...

Killodiernan Church of Ireland church, the imposing stone gateway to the former Peterfield estate, its gate lodge, where an industry produces quality fretwork plaques, and where traditional music evenings are held in summer.

A signpost directs you to some romanesque features in church ruins. The Church of Ireland church with a typical square tower, was originally built in 1811, but the entrance porch and altar area were added later....

Mid 18th century Gothic building with one of the most outstanding spires in the Midlands. In the vestry there is a list of Rectors of the parish dating from the 1400's and silver chalices donated by Lord Longford. Private Joseph Ward is interred in this graveyard. Born in Kinsale, he was one of the first to be awarded the Victoria Cross for distinguished Bravery for his part in the crimean war and Indian Mutiny....

Donough Cairbreach O'Brien, King of Thomond, founded a friary for the Franciscans here early in the 13th century, but the present church was probably not begun until 1471, only to be burned the following year. After the Suppression in 1541, it was sold to John of Desmond. Sir Humphrey Gilbert's horsemen burned the church once more in 1569, and the friars who had stayed on were massacred in 1570. It suffered little damage when police tried to blow it up in 1921. The church is a simple nave-a...