Church in Athlone, County Westmeath (WM029-042021-)

Only the bell-tower survives of the 17th century St. Mary's parish church. The 17th century church was probably built on or incorporated the remains of the medieval parish church of Athlone. This church is mentioned in a number of 17th century documents as being near the East Gate [Dublin Gate] of the walled town of Athlone (Erck 1846-52,67-8, 728). There is a reference in 1452 the church of 'Athluain' (Cal. papal letters, 541) and in 1484 there is a mention of St. Mary's when Cornelius Odelay [O'Daly] was the vicar (Cal. papal letters, 90). This church was almost certainly established in the thirteenth century (Bradley et. al. 1985, 41). In 1578 a 21 year lease was granted to Edmund O Fallon a merchant of Athlone, which included the ‘castle in Athlone called the east gate [Dublin Gate], near the church yard (WM029-042022-) of the parish church, and a parcel of land adjoining the said castle, lying in breadth from the east towards the market place of the town 60 feet [18m], and in length towards the Shynnyn 200 feet [61m]’ (Nicholls 1994, 467). The medieval church was rebuilt around 1620 by Lord Grandison, while he was President of Connacht (Stokes 1890-1, 184). The 17th century church building was replaced by the present church in 1826-7 (Murtagh 1994, 10) although the bell-tower of the 17th century church still survives free standing in the SW quadrant of the graveyard (WM029-042022-) (Stokes 1890-1, 180). Described by Bradley (1985 41-2) as the 17th century church site is situated in the SW quadrant of the graveyard on the north side of Dublin Gate Street immediately inside the town wall. The seventeenth century bell-tower stands to the SW of the present C of I church (WM029-042023-) and is rectangular in plan with four floors and battlements above. The masonry is of coursed limestone with limestone quoins. The exterior has been heavily repainted and the east wall appears to have been substantially rebuilt. The base has a low uneven batter. The ground floor is entered on the S through a round-arched door with external hood moulding. It has a barrel vault and a single window in the west wall which has been blocked up. Access to the first floor is via a wooden ladder. Externally, large round-headed windows are present in each wall of the third floor (belfry stage). The bell is reputed to be of seventeenth century date (Lewis 1837, 88).