Choose Ireland » Religious Sites

Bealin Twyford High Cross

Brian — Tue, 19 Dec 2006 11:57:59 +0000

Currently located in the Demesne at Twyford, this ornate high cross is estimated to be more than 1200 years old. It was moved to this spot from Bealin, the site where it was found. The west side indicates that the cross was created for someone named Tuathgall, who may have actually been an Abbot at Clonmacnoise in the early 800s.
The rest of the faces of the cross contain beautiful geometric patterns, depictions of birdlike animals, a horseman and a lion, as well as intricate Celtic knot work.

Tipperary Town

Brian — Mon, 13 Nov 2006 10:52:40 +0000

This farming town sits at the edge of the Golden Vale, a fertile farming plain that covers much of County Tipperary. The name of the town, as well as that of the county, comes from the Celtic ‘Tiobraid Arann’, which means ‘the well of Era’, or the River Ara. Tipperary Town is located on the banks of the River Ara, close to the hills surrounding the Glen of Aherlow, where beautiful climbing trails can be found.
The dairy farming town features an historic old Butter Market and many restored buildings located in the section called New Tipperary. This area was rebuilt by locals at the time of Ireland’s Land War in 1890-91.
Also located in Tipperary— the grave of Robert Emmett’s grandfather at the graveyard of St. Mary’s Church, Dalton’s Heritage House, and a statue of Charles Kickham. He was a 19th century novelist who wrote about forced emigration and how it adversely affected Tipperary in his book, The Homes of Tipperary.
St. Michael’s Church features a haunting stained glass window that pictures a World War I soldier killed during the fighting.
Genealogy buffs should visit the headquarters of Clann na hEirann, a premier research organization that gathers information on various surnames from all over Ireland.

Holy Cross Gardens

Brian — Mon, 13 Nov 2006 10:51:56 +0000

Holy Cross Abbey Gardens are located on the grounds of the Cistercian Abbey founded in 1169. They contain a set of Stations of the Cross erected in memory of St. Padre Pio, a Capuchin priest who bore the stigmata (physical wounds of Jesus Christ) for fifty years.
Padre Pio lived in San Giovanni Rotondo, in Italy. In 1918, he received the stigmata, which he described to his spiritual advisor as a vision where he saw a person with the stigmata, wounds dripping blood. After the vision disappeared, Padre Pio found himself with the same bleeding wounds, which he experienced nearly every day for the rest of his life, or nearly fifty years.
Padre Pio died on September 23, 1968, in his cell, surrounded by his brothers. The aroma of fragrant flowers filled the room when he died, just as it always had when the wounds appeared. More than 100,000 people attended his funeral.
In addition to daily masses, monthly devotional prayer services and Masses are held at Holy Cross Abbey, many of them outdoors in what are also referred to as the Padre Pio Gardens.
Identical Stations of the Cross to those donated in his memory at Holy Cross Abbey can also be found at the Vatican; they were given to Pope John Paul II when he visited Ireland in 1979.

Holy Cross Abbey

Brian — Mon, 13 Nov 2006 10:50:52 +0000

Originally the site of a Celtic monastery or hermitage, Holy Cross Abbey was established in 1169 according to the Cistercian Rule by King Donal O’Brien. The Cistercian Tradition, first brought from France to Ireland by St. Malachy, had spread rapidly upon its arrival in Ireland, and the original Holy Cross monks came here following the establishment of Monasteranenagh in County Limerick.
The Cistercians operated under a silent, self-contained rule, so the monastery was planned to include everything needed to sustain life, including plenty of land to grow crops and raise livestock.
The abbey building itself was shaped in a square, and included the church, sacristy, kitchen, refectory and chapter house. There was plenty of room to accommodate stores of food and other supplies.
Survival was difficult for the monks at Holy Cross for the first few hundred years. Then in 1414, the community was patronised by James Butler, the fourth Earl of Ormonde. He provided protection and saw to the rebuilding and renovation of much of the abbey, including the church, cloister and the infirmary, along with the addition of the Abbot’s house.
Holy Cross Abbey originally escaped closure when King Henry VIII decreed suppression of all monasteries over a certain size in 1539. In preparation for what the monks knew lie ahead, the abbot, William Dwyer, resigned and was replaced by Philip Purcell, a layman. The Cistercians lived in and around the community, avoiding persecution and keeping the abbey open for pilgrims who had come to worship the relics of the cross.
Persecution drove them into hiding for a period of time, during which the abbey deteriorated. The order decreased in number, and the last Cistercian to reside at Holy Cross was Father Edmund Cormack, who died in 1735.
Holy Cross Abbey was given over to state control and preserved by the Irish Church Act along with 137 other buildings, and declared a national monument in 1880.
In 1976, the Church Act was amended to allow Holy Cross Abbey to be renovated and again used as a local house of worship.
The church was built in the cruciform shape originally used by the Cistercians, with vaulted arches and columns. Stonework completed with chisel and mallet on the pillars was personalized by the masons, who carved their own chosen design on the pillar.
The huge window above the altar faces east, dramatically catching the morning sun. The sedilia, located in the chancel at Holy Cross, is well known throughout Europe. This structure contains the seats used by the celebrants of Mass, and is 17 feet high with a canopy and pillars. It is decorated with five shields, one between each set of arches. The first contains a cross, the second, also largest, shows a 1405 version of the English coat of arms, the third the arms of the Ormonde family, the fourth the Desmond Geraldines, and the fifth is blank.
The Cistercian monks occupied this prosperous community until the 17th century.
The Abbey is home to a relic of the true cross, owned by its founding king. It also contains a complete set of Stations of the Cross erected in honor of Padre Pio.
Today, Holy Cross Abbey is an active worship site, with novenas, weddings and monthly services dedicated to St. Padre Pio.

Boyle Cistercian Abbey

Brian — Mon, 13 Nov 2006 10:41:47 +0000

Building operations on this Cistercian Abbey located in the town of Boyle, began in 1161. Today it is considered to be one of Ireland’s most well preserved religious sites.
The huge tower that still stands was begun along with the rest of the original building, with portions added over the years to increase its height. At the end of the 12th century, the eastern nave, with arches and ornate pillars that still stand, was erected, along with the northern side. The pillars here are very different in appearance, although they date back to the same time period. The church itself was consecrated in 1218.
Also surviving are the gatehouse, which now contains the interpretative centre, and two doorways that date back to the year 1200. Most of the cloister has disappeared.
Other buildings on the site can be traced back to the 16th and 17th centuries. The settlement was taken over by Cromwellian forces in 1659.
In the years before Cromwell’s armies invaded, Boyle Cistercian Abbey was one of the most widely recognized in all of Connacht, and survived invasions by Richard de Burgo, Justiciar and Maurice Fitzgerald.

Rahan Churches

Brian — Fri, 27 Oct 2006 11:39:34 +0000

There are two churches on this site, portions of which date back to the 15th century.
The first, a roofed church – was originally built during the 12th century, although few of the oldest parts remain visible. It was built in the shape of a cross, but only the center beam survives. The remains contain some striking Romanesque features in the chancel, including an arch that is decorated with ornamental sculptures of heads. The east wall of the chancel once contained an original 13th century window, recently replaced by a modern one. Also during the 13th century, a vault was added, along with a special chamber above the altar.
The nave, added in 1732, sits atop a 15th century foundation and features a window decorated with depictions of a dragon eating its own tail, along with a griffin and bird. In the east gable, there is a beautifully decorated round Romanesque window.
Another church stands close by, estimated to date back to the 15th or 16th century. It also appears to have incorporated parts of earlier churches standing on the same spot, including a fine Romanesque doorway and windows. It also appears to have stones that may have been taken from the roofed church at some point in time.
The site of the churches at Rahan had its beginnings as an ecclesiastical region in 580. Constantine, a Cornish King, retired there from his throne and became a monk. The monastic community was founded by Saint Cartach, a prominent figure in Early Christian Irish history. He was forced into retirement at Lismore, County Waterford, in 636.
The settlement was reestablished in 760 by Fidhairle Ua Sleanaigh and operated until sometime during the twelfth century, after which only the two churches survived.

St Louis Convent Heritage Centre

Brian — Fri, 20 Oct 2006 17:16:58 +0000

Located in Monaghan Town, this centre tells the inspiring story of the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Louis, a religious order that served people throughout Monaghan County during the latter part of the 1800’s.
The order was founded in Juilly, France, by Baroness de Vaux, Mother Therese of the Cross, in 1842. Its intended purpose was to educate French children of noble lineage, and evolved to include the education of poor children in Europe, South America and Africa. Its namesake was Louis IX, the sainted King, and the Sisters of St. Louis also used his traditional symbols and designs, including the gold flame and fleur-de-lis.
The sisters came to Ireland in 1859 and proceeded to establish schools where they taught sanctification and salvation along with the everyday basics of reading, writing and mathematics. They worked to advance the cultural awareness of their students along with their level of education.
The Heritage Centre in Monaghan Town contains evidence of their legacy in the region in the form of documentation, scrapbooks, artifacts and other memorabilia. It also contains exhibits related to the order’s efforts to advance education and health care in Brazil, West Africa, California and several other countries in Europe.
Craftwork is also on display, including items from Africa and Brazil, as well as traditionally local Carrickamoss Lace, along with Beleek China and crocheted items from Clones.

Durrow High Cross

Brian — Fri, 13 Oct 2006 10:06:30 +0000

In Ireland, High Crosses began as a form of artistic worship that became popular in the early years of Irish Christianity, carrying onward into medieval times where they were often placed at monasteries. The early styles were made with geometric patterns, which later evolved into Biblical scenes that were created on each side, or ‘face’ of the cross, in an effort to teach parishioners the stories of the Bible. High crosses were often commissioned by local parishioners and viewed as symbols of wealth and status.
The High Cross at Durrow was part of a monastery founded by St. Columba in 553 with aid from Aedh, the son of Prince Brendan. It, along with a holy well, is all that remains of this early Christian settlement.
The cross is estimated to date back to the ninth century. Its four faces are embellished as follows:
First face – depictions of Christ and David slaying a lion, the resurrection, and Abraham sacrificing his son Isaac.
Second face – the Crucifixion, and the tomb of Jesus surrounded by guards.
Third face – Adam and Eve and their son Cain slaying Abel
Fourth face – Zacharius, Elizabeth and John the Baptist.
Other religious relics found at this site and now located in Dublin are the Book of Durrow from 700 A D, housed at Trinity College, and the Crozier of Durrow located at the National Museum.

Slane Castle

Brian — Sat, 07 Oct 2006 12:24:21 +0000

The tiny Georgian village of Slane is located along the River Boyne. Slane Castle is its largest attraction, built during the 18th century in the vicinity of a large natural amphitheater. The estate has been the scene of numerous outdoor concerts since the year 1981, when Lord Henry Mountcharles held the first, back when U2 served as a backup band. Other recognizable artists who have performed at Slane Castle over the years include David Bowie, the Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, and Bruce Springsteen. The largest crowd ever recorded was 70,000 attendees at an REM concert.
Slane Castle fell victim to a destructive fire, and was renovated and reopened to the public in 2001. A guided tour is available, which features the extraordinary plasterwork and stained glass windows, and a ballroom especially built for a visit from King George IV in 1821. A man named Capability Brown, a famous local landscaper, was responsible for the beautiful grounds.
Also near Slane are several sites of religious importance, including the Hermitage, a 16th century religious structure built on the site where St. Erc, who was converted by St. Patrick, lived the life of a hermit. The ruins of the church include the tower, nave and chancel.
On nearby Slane Hill, it is said that St. Patrick lit the Paschal Fire in 433, signaling the beginning of his efforts to convert the people of Ireland to Christianity. From the top of the 500-foot high hill, the entire 25-mile length of the Boyne Valley is visible in breathtaking form.

Drogheda

Brian — Sat, 07 Oct 2006 12:21:16 +0000

King John, an Anglo-Norman, officially established the town of Drogheda in 1194 but the actual history of inhabitation extends back to the times when the Celts first arrived.
Drogheda was the scene of several important historical events, such as the Battle of the Boyne and the Surrender of the Irish Chieftains to the King of England. It is located on the eastern coast of Ireland. There is record of the arrival of the Vikings in 911, and they colonized the area until the arrival of the Normans some 200 years later. Hugh de Lacy, the lord of Trim, fortified the town along the River Boyne. The town of Drogheda is divided by this river, and in the beginning was actually two separate towns.
In 1649, Oliver Cromwell arrived with the goal of banishing native Irish Catholics to the wilds in the west of the country. He gave them the option to go to “Hell or Connaught”. Cromwell had a particularly difficult time when he approached the sturdy walls of Drogheda. The citizens stood their ground through two attacks before finally falling to the third. A massive slaughter of as many as 3500 people – including women and children – followed.
One group of Drogheda residents sought refuge in St. Peter’s Church and were burned along with the building. Sir Arthur Aston, one of the citizen leaders, was actually beaten with his own wooden leg until he died. The events, which took place near Millmount, established Cromwell as vicious when dealing with rebellion and were used to quell the same type of behavior in nearby areas. His reputation, however, never really recovered from these acts of cruelty, which most people viewed as excessive.
Today, the massacre of 1649 is memorialized at Millmount Museum and Martello Tower. The attached buildings are filled with exhibits that focus on the progress of Drogheda and its people over the centuries, proof that Cromwell was not successful in breaking the will and spirit of the local people. Trade Guild memorabilia signifies rebuilding, a willow and leather coracle (traditional River Boyne fishing boat) and commercial and industrial artifacts illustrate the many ways Drogheda has used to prosper.
Memorabilia of the bloody events in 1649 is on display and the rich military history of the town is detailed by exhibits housed in Martello Tower.
Drogheda’s unique features include St. Laurence’s Gate, a genuine 13th century gate that was once one of the eleven openings in the fortified enclosure of the city. It is very well preserved, and includes two drumtowers that stand four stories tall. Also surviving is Butler’s Gate, which is estimated to be at least fifty years older.
In the centre of town, spanning the River Boyne, is the railway viaduct. Engineered and built during the Victorian Period (1850), the viaduct still functions as a part of the Dublin to Belfast rail line and is visible from most areas in and around the town.
St. Peter’s Church, a Roman Catholic house of worship was built in the Gothic Revival style. It contains the head of St. Oliver Plunkett, preserved and retained after it was extracted from the fire used to execute him.