Saint Colmcille's Catholic Church — Ballynahown

Detached Roman Catholic church, built c.1902, comprising a four-bay nave, single-bay transepts to the east and west, a shallow single-bay chancel to the north and a two-stage tower (on square-plan) adjoining to the west end of the entrance front (south), having corner pinnacles and a spire on octagonal plan over (with lucarnes). Single-storey sacristy to the east side of the chancel and a single-storey side-chapel adjoining to the west side of the chancel. Single-bay gable-fronted porches to south faces of transepts. Pitched natural slate roofs with raised stone verges to gable ends having cross finials over (cast-iron and cut stone). Cast-iron rainwater goods throughout. Constructed of snecked rock-faced stone with extensive ashlar limestone detailing, including clasping buttresses between nave openings and to corners of entrance gable (south), string courses, quoins to corners and a stepped plinth to base. Belfry and spire of tower constructed of ashlar limestone. Pointed-arched window openings to nave, to first stage of tower and to the entrance front (south) having moulded cut stone surrounds and hoodmouldings. Four-light window with Geometric tracery to entrance gable (south), two-light windows with Geometric tracery to gable ends of transepts (east and west), and a five-light window with Geometric tracery to the chancel gable, all with pictorial stained glass windows, cut stone surrounds and with hoodmouldings over. Open belfry to second stage of tower with Geometric tracery and louvered vents. Pointed segmental-headed doorcase to centre of entrance façade with cut limestone surround, hoodmoulding over (forming part of string course) and with timber double doors. Interesting interior having an open timber scissor truss roof, polished granite columns with limestone Doric capitals, an open timber gallery (to nave gable) reached by a cast-iron spiral staircase and collection of marble memorials. Interior and altar under renovation (November 2004). Date stone reads: 'BUILT 1897-1902 Mw COLUMB P.P'. Set back from road in own grounds to east end of Ballynahown Village. Bounded on road-frontage (south) by a rubble limestone with crenellated coping. Ashlar limestone gate piers (on square-plan) with cast-iron gates hung from a shared decorative central cast-iron pier.