Dungarvan Church

Detached two-bay double-height single-cell Board of First Fruits Church of Ireland church, built 1812, with single-bay four-stage entrance tower to west on a square plan. In use, 1899-1902. Now in ruins. Pitched roof now gone with no rainwater goods surviving on squared rubble stone eaves. Roof to tower not visible behind parapet (presumed now gone). Random rubble stone walls with remains of unpainted lime render over having advanced corner piers to each stage to tower, cut-stone stringcourse to each stage to tower, inscribed cut-limestone plaques to second stage, and battlemented parapet on cut-stone stringcourse having cut-stone coping. Pointed-arch window openings to nave with no fittings surviving. Pointed-arch openings to third (bell) stage to tower (some blind) with cut-stone sills, rubble stone voussoirs, and louvered panel fittings (remainder now blocked-up with unpainted render over). Quatrefoil openings to top stage to tower with rubble stone and red brick voussoirs (now blocked-up with red brick irregular bond panels). Pointed-arch door opening with carved (reeded) cut-granite doorcase supporting red brick voussoirs, and no fittings remaining. Set back from road in own grounds.(ii) Graveyard to site with various cut-stone markers, pre-1818-post-1902.(iii) Gateway, dated 1818, to south-east comprising pair of rubble stone piers with wrought iron double gates having finials (one inscribed).

A modest-scale rural church conforming to the standard arrangement of nave and tower identified as a hallmark of churches sponsored by the Board of First Fruits (fl. c.1711-1833). Although having fallen into ruin following a prolonged period out of use the original form and massing survive largely intact with particular emphasis on the elegantly-detailed tower stepping in on each level producing an attractive landmark in the locality: an articulated parapet further enlivens the architectural design value of the composition. An attendant graveyard contributing significantly to the group and setting values of the site includes a range of cut-stone markers of artistic distinction: some markers dating to the late medieval period attest to an earlier ecclesiastical settlement in the grounds, thereby identifying the archaeological significance of the site. A simple gateway is also of some simple, almost naïve design merit incorporating embossed iron ware. The site remains an important element of the architectural heritage of Dungarvan on account of the status as the legacy of a once-prosperous Church of Ireland community in the locality.