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Rath Church, Killeshandra, Co.Cavan #NationalHeritageWeek2020
The church is one of the few Jacobean style churches remaining in Ireland and has national architectural importance...
The church is one of the few Jacobean style churches remaining in Ireland and has national architectural importance...
A medieval church, evident here in 1436, and known as the ‘Church of the Rath’ (Cill na Sean Ratha), was extended and remodelled in the late 17th century for Sir Francis Hamilton, whose flamboyant coat of arms in white marble still emblazon the entrance gable.
Today, its ruin represents one of the most important Restoration churches in Ulster, distinguished for its steep gable front filled with Renaissance style tracery, with one of these incorporating a handsome classical doorcase.
Internally there are good brick barrel vaults, and a finely detailed stone stairs supported on Tuscan piers.
Killeshandra itself was developed as a plantation town, having been granted in 1610 to Sir Alexander Hamilton and his son Claude.
Killeshandra itself was developed as a plantation town, having been granted in 1610 to Sir Alexander Hamilton and his son Claude.
Since UAH visited the church in 2019, the building has been successfully conserved through the 'Adopt A Monument Scheme' by the The Heritage Council. Killeshandra Tidy Towns Committee adopted the church as they were concerned about its future due to the fragile state of the roof.
The 'Adopt A Monument Scheme' worked with the community to secure funds for specialist architectural conservation advice where the group applied to LEADER in 2017 to secure funds for a protective roof over the existing structure, with architect Kevin Blackwood & team.
The work is now complete and a new zinc covering is now in place ensuring the unique barrel vaulted ceiling will be conserved into the future.
#NationalHeritageWeek #EHODNI #HeritageMonthIreland #HeritageMonthNI
#NationalHeritageWeek #EHODNI #HeritageMonthIreland #HeritageMonthNI
