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Mass-house in Rathfarnham

Mass-house

What is recorded here

St. Mary’s parochial house stands in a D-shaped site enclosed within a bend of the Owendore River. According to Paddy Healy (2004, 203) there was an ’old Chapel’ here which was replaced in 1878 by the Church of the Annunciation across the road. The former was described by D’Alton as a ‘cruciform edifice with…

Read the whole record
St. Mary’s parochial house stands in a D-shaped site enclosed within a bend of the Owendore River. According to Paddy Healy (2004, 203) there was an ’old Chapel’ here which was replaced in 1878 by the Church of the Annunciation across the road. The former was described by D’Alton as a ‘cruciform edifice with galleries, disproportionately low’ (ibid). There is documentary evidence to suggest it dates from 1697A.D.(pers comm. Mr Tony Duffy). Behind the present building on the grounds of the former orchard is a slightly raised curvilinear area (Dims.18m by 20m) partially bound by a stone, masonry wall and the bank of the Owendore River. This area is defined in the south by a linear hollow (Wth 3m, D.)0.15 m This boundary wall curves in the NNE before straightening out to enclose the car park which lies to the east. In the hollow of this curve is a small, square, unroofed area believed to be the 17th century Mass house. This square building measures c. 6m N-S by c. 5.80m E-W. There is a doorway in the east (Wth 1.40m). The surface is uneven with fragments of granite masonry present. There is an iron railing along the west side containing an emblem of a cross. Two stone cross-shaped finials and a decorative wrought iron cross finial were found on the grounds of St Mary's presbytery near the present grotto.

From the National Monuments Service (Archaeological Survey of Ireland) record DU022-116

The monument record does not grant public access. Check the route and ask the landowner before entering private land.

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Photo credits
  • National Inventory of Architectural Heritage
  • AndrewH at English Wikipedia, Wikimedia Commons · Public domain
  • A.-K. D., Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0
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