Church in Ardra

In the grounds of Catlecomer Demesne. The ground rises steeply from the entrance to the modern graveyard, up to the position of the present 18th-century C of I church. According to Carrigan (1905, vol. 2, 159-160) this was the location of the 'ancient Catholic parish church of the Holy Cross of Castlecomer'. It is likely that the medieval church was taken down when a new church was built in 1635-7 by Christopher Wandesford as part of his new planned town (ibid.; Farrelly et al. 1993). This church appears to have been destroyed in 1641 by the Confederate Catholics as a number of planters had taken refuge there when the town was being attacked (Farrelly et al. 1993). It is possible that the present C of I church was built on or near the location of the 17th-century church, however, the precise location of the 17th-century church is unknown. Compiled by: Jean Farrelly Date of upload: 17 May 2017

The church in Ardra was built in the 18th century, likely by the local Anglican community, and is dedicated to the Church of Ireland. It is situated within the grounds of Catlecomer Demesne and represents a later phase of ecclesiastical development in the area, replacing or adjacent to an earlier religious site.