churches historical ireland

The site of a monastery founded by St Lurach in the 6th century, Maghera was the seat of a bishopric in the 12th/13th centuries. Parts of the now roofless rectangular church may date from before this period, though it is difficult to say how much earlier.

It was extended further to the east at the same time that the most important feature of the church was inserted in the west wall - a doorway dating probably from the episcopate of Muiredach O'Coffy (1152-73). The most important sin...

This Augustinian convent dates from the 13th century and is one of the few medieval convents remaining. There is a cloister with a refectory along its south wall and a church projecting from its east side. A window to the east and door to the north were inserted in the 15th century, the latter presumably to offer access directly to the church. To the south of the church is a room called ‘The Black Hag’s Cell’ where it is said that the last abbess practiced witchcraft; a legend perhaps dating fro...

The First Derry Presbyterian Church was built with the help of a large sum of money donated by Queen Mary as a reward for the bravery of the Presbyterians during the Siege of 1689.

It has a chaste and handsome front made of Dungiven sandstone a fine portico of four fluted columns with corinthians capitals entablature and pediment and is approached by a broad set of steps. Inside the main space is lofty with a fine coffered timber ceiling and behind the pulpit are stained glass windows...

The saint's festival is on 16 July, when pilgrims come to the island from the mainland. The saint was venerated so much by sailors that they lowered their sails in his honour when they passed the island. The church is a small rectangular structure built of very large stones. It has a flat-headed doorway and a round-headed east window.

The most unusual feature of this church is that the antae continue right up the gable and meet at the top, thus suggesting that this is a feature copie...

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

Dates back to the 14th Century and is where the name 'Kilkeel' originates, translated as 'Church of the Narrows'. The Church, dedicated to St.Colman, was once the principal Church for the area. The ruined Church and Cemetery both stand in a Rath in the centre of Kilkeel town....

ST MULROSE'S CHURCH This 12th Century church dedicated to the patron Saint of Kinsale was probably built on the site of an earlier 6th Century church of the same name. It was here that Prince Rupert proclaimed Charles II as King of England, a proclamation repeated at the close of the Cromwellian period 11 years later.









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A small 12th century church close to the River Barrow and containing two early crosses. A biography of Saint Patrick was written here in the 7th century....

Drumlane Church and Round Tower were part of an Augustinian abbey foundation.
The siting of the monastery was inspired, as the 14th century church and earlier tower are beautifully situated between Drumlane and Derrybrick lakes.

An unusual feature of the Round Tower is the engraving of a cock on the north face, thought to symbolise the resurrection.
The present buildings occupy the site of a 6th century monastery founded by St. Mogue, a pupil of St David of Wales....

This is a Church of Ireland Building which dates from 1250, and was again developed in 1464 and contains some very interesting tombs, effigies and monuments including the tomb of Margaret Countess of Desmond who danced with Henry VII after the battle of bosworth and died at the age of 147 following a fall from a cherry tree. The church has a beautiful interior, especially the great east window....