
What is recorded here
Detached cruciform Catholic church, built in 1880, with eleven-bay nave, side aisles, apse and tower with spire added in 1935. Pitched slate roof with limestone coping, cast-iron rainwater goods and cross finial over entrance bay. Snecked rock-faced black limestone walls with buttresses. Pointed-arched window openings to side aisles and paired windows to clerestory with chamfered limestone reveals and stained glass windows. Lancet windows to apse. Triple lancet light to gabled entrance elevation. Pointed-arched door opening to projecting gabled entrance bay with recessed carved sandstone surround arranged in three orders. Main entrance is flanked by pointed-arched door openings to the side aisles. Tower with belfry, broach tower and pinnacles. Arcaded nave to interior.
Built in 1880, the church was the first structure built by the Cistercian Order when they moved to Mount Heaton to establish Mount Saint Joseph Abbey. The tall broach tower, added c.1935, is a focal point in the complex and a striking addition to the church. The interior of the church is devoid of embellishments, however, the wonderful arcading to the side aisles with simple limestone columns is an appealing arrangement. The most significant feature of the church is the wonderfully carved entrance arranged in three orders. The door surround contributes to the significance of the church. This church is connected to the monastery buildings to the south-west. It is reputed that stone for the construction of this church were taken from the old goal in Tullamore.
This does not grant access. Most recorded buildings are privately owned; view them only from public ground unless the owner allows entry.
Places near here
Mount Saint Joseph Collegeschool · 140 yd
Mount Saint Joseph Abbeyfarmyard complex · 238 yd
White MulberryWhite Mulberry · 258 yd
Ladys WellHoly well · 1.1 mi
CastleCastle, tower house · 1.8 mi
Roscrea Petty Sessions HouseHeritage attraction · 2.6 mi
Bawn in DungarBawn · 3.0 miOther information
Photo: National Inventory of Architectural Heritage · Website use allowed for educational or private purposes with source credit