St Mary’s Church stands imposingly on the crest of a small hill at the edge of Delvin village. The church incorporates several sections spanning four centuries. The belfry tower may have originally been a watch tower and was built around 1550. The larger ‘hall’ section was built circa 1810, with the transept being added in 1860. The arched entrance to the church is beautiful and the quality of the stone-masonry that went into this building is captivating, the church has many Gothic and Neoclassical features throughout. The church was in use up until the 1970s but is already in quite the ruinous state. The graveyard surrounding the church unfortunately is littered with cans and also was visited at some stage by a misguided fool who thought they needed to poorly daub a Padraig Pearse quote on one wall in paint! Still, there is an ongoing initiative to clean up the church and grounds and St Mary’s is a place that deserves to be kept beautiful, well worth a visit.
GPS: 53.61069, -7.09377
Another candidate for a gothic horror story setting – how concerning to see how quickly a building like that can deteriorate.
What a lovely old place! I love your photos.
Currently doing up a conservation management plan for here and clearing the graveyard and also cutting back ivy.
This will decide on the future of St.Marys and hopefully we can apply for additional funding to turn it into a tourism attraction
David Jones
Hello David, this is excellent news and music to my ears! Its a beautiful structure and deserves conservation. I really hope that the funding comes. Fair play on your work helping preserve our history.
I must visit some day. I’m actually descended from William Barry Batty – his gravestone is pictured in images 18 & 19.
Hi George, what an interesting coincidence that I took a photo of his grave! Indeed you should try and visit some day!
Yes Ed, some coincidence alright. It also looks like someone has maintained his grave to a a degree. He was an interesting “character” and you can read more on him on the link below / UCD research (page 3 onwards). I’m not sure if he ever actually married the widow Caffrey, but I’m descended from one of their offspring. She’s buried in Glasnevin.
https://researchrepository.ucd.ie/server/api/core/bitstreams/2d8c31e0-2ba5-41b0-91f3-bf287b92f504/content