Loughinisland Churches
Encyclopedia
The Loughinisland Churches are the remains of three ruined churches in Loughinisland, County Down
, Northern Ireland
, dating from the 13th to the 17th centuries. They are situated in Tievenadarragh
townland
, in a large graveyard on an island in Loughinisland Lake, now reached by a causeway. The churches are state-care historic monuments at grid ref: J4234 4537.
The North Church was in use until about 1718. Local accounts say that at one time there was an amicable arrangement for the church to be used for both Protestant
and Roman Catholic
worship, but that a dispute rose one wet Sunday, when Roman Catholics were unwilling to leave the church due to the rain, and free the church up for the Protestants. This displeased the Forde family so much that they dismantled the old church and built a new one in Seaforde
which was roofed with the timbers of the old building.
The island and its churches appear in medieval sources under the name Lerkes or Lyrge.
s. Some gables have fallen and are now standing to an average height of around 10ft. At the south-east angle is a small wall-cupboard.
The North Church is 66.5ft by 30ft, the gables and most of the side walls are standing and a doorway in the west end has a narrow window above it. It is built of coarse split-stone rubble with semi-wrought quoins, with walls of an average thickness of around 3ft. In the south wall are two small cupboards.
The South Church is 27.5ft by 20ft and is probably of earlier date than the 1636 date inscribed on it, appearing to have been previously remodelled. The western doorway (of dressed Castle Espie limestone
) supports a semi-circular arch built of two stones, each forming a quadrant. It is rectangular with walls around 3ft thick, built of split-stone rubble with limestone quoins and dressings. The east window has two pointed, chamfered windows, with mullion
now removed. Set into the wall above the doorway is a stone effigy of a human head, which probably predates the church. On the floor is a recumbent stone which mentions four prominent members of the McCartan family.
County Down
-Cities:*Belfast *Newry -Large towns:*Dundonald*Newtownards*Bangor-Medium towns:...
, Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
, dating from the 13th to the 17th centuries. They are situated in Tievenadarragh
Tievenadarragh
Tievenadarragh is a townland at Loughinisland, County Down, Northern Ireland. The townland contains the Loughinisland Churches, the remains of three ruined churches dating from the 13th to the 17th centuries. They are situated in a large graveyard on an island in Loughinisland Lake, now reached by...
townland
Townland
A townland or bally is a small geographical division of land used in Ireland. The townland system is of Gaelic origin—most townlands are believed to pre-date the Norman invasion and most have names derived from the Irish language...
, in a large graveyard on an island in Loughinisland Lake, now reached by a causeway. The churches are state-care historic monuments at grid ref: J4234 4537.
History
The earliest recorded reference is to a parish church on the site in 1306. The Middle Church is the oldest, probably from the 13th century. The large North Church was built in the 15th century, probably to replace the Middle Church, and continued in use until 1720. The smallest is the South (MacCartan's) Church, the elaborately carved west door of which has the date 1636 and initials PMC for Phelim MaCartan. This was probably the main burial ground of the MacCartans who had one of their chief seats near to the lake.The North Church was in use until about 1718. Local accounts say that at one time there was an amicable arrangement for the church to be used for both Protestant
Protestantism
Protestantism is one of the three major groupings within Christianity. It is a movement that began in Germany in the early 16th century as a reaction against medieval Roman Catholic doctrines and practices, especially in regards to salvation, justification, and ecclesiology.The doctrines of the...
and Roman Catholic
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
worship, but that a dispute rose one wet Sunday, when Roman Catholics were unwilling to leave the church due to the rain, and free the church up for the Protestants. This displeased the Forde family so much that they dismantled the old church and built a new one in Seaforde
Seaforde
Seaforde is a small village in County Down, Northern Ireland. It is within the townland of Naghan, one mile north of Clough on the main Ballynahinch to Newcastle road. It is part of the Down District Council area....
which was roofed with the timbers of the old building.
The island and its churches appear in medieval sources under the name Lerkes or Lyrge.
Features
The three churches all lie roughly east and west, but are not strictly parallel. The most ancient church, the Middle Church is 39ft by 23.5ft and its walls are nearly 4ft thick. There is a local tradition that this church was never actually finished. It is rectangular and built of coarse rubble with rough squared quoinQuoin (architecture)
Quoins are the cornerstones of brick or stone walls. Quoins may be either structural or decorative. Architects and builders use quoins to give the impression of strength and firmness to the outline of a building...
s. Some gables have fallen and are now standing to an average height of around 10ft. At the south-east angle is a small wall-cupboard.
The North Church is 66.5ft by 30ft, the gables and most of the side walls are standing and a doorway in the west end has a narrow window above it. It is built of coarse split-stone rubble with semi-wrought quoins, with walls of an average thickness of around 3ft. In the south wall are two small cupboards.
The South Church is 27.5ft by 20ft and is probably of earlier date than the 1636 date inscribed on it, appearing to have been previously remodelled. The western doorway (of dressed Castle Espie limestone
Limestone
Limestone is a sedimentary rock composed largely of the minerals calcite and aragonite, which are different crystal forms of calcium carbonate . Many limestones are composed from skeletal fragments of marine organisms such as coral or foraminifera....
) supports a semi-circular arch built of two stones, each forming a quadrant. It is rectangular with walls around 3ft thick, built of split-stone rubble with limestone quoins and dressings. The east window has two pointed, chamfered windows, with mullion
Mullion
A mullion is a vertical structural element which divides adjacent window units. The primary purpose of the mullion is as a structural support to an arch or lintel above the window opening. Its secondary purpose may be as a rigid support to the glazing of the window...
now removed. Set into the wall above the doorway is a stone effigy of a human head, which probably predates the church. On the floor is a recumbent stone which mentions four prominent members of the McCartan family.