St. Kevins Church — Unknown Townland

The present remains of St. Kevin's Church occupy the site of an earlier medieval parish church in St. Kevin's park, Camden Row. Listed among the possessions of the Canons of Holy Trinty in 1179 (McNeill 1950, 7). In 1582 it was re-roofed but by 1630 the nave and chancel were ruinous. The present building was constructed c. 1780 (Wheeler and Craig 1948, 22, Bradley &1987 115; FMD map (1978) F7). There are medieval paving tiles extant (Eames & Fanning 1988, 63). Situated in St. Kevin's Park, Camden Row, is a church dating back at least as far as the 13th century, and was dedicated to Kevin of Glendalough.The church was first mentioned in historical annals in 1226. From the 13th century it formed part of the Manor of St. Sepulchre, which was directly under the jurisdiction of the Archbishop of Dublin. An archaeological excavation carried out in 1967 uncovered some medieval graves and coins. The present ruined church, built on the foundation of the medieval one, dates to around 1750. The church is the burial place of Archbishop Dermot O'Hurley who was interred here after his execution on 20 June 1584 at Hoggens Green. O'Hurley, ordained Archbishop of Cashel in 1581, was imprisoned and tortured by government authorities upon his return from Rome in 1583. His grave became a place of veneration for Roman Catholics for several hundred years. In 1609, in view of the throngs of pilgrims coming to his grave, the church was rebuilt and a new entrance was made. In 1698, the time of the Penal Laws, the church was offered to the Huguenot community as a place of worship and cemetery. The graveyard (DU018-020971-) continued to be used by Catholics until the end of the 19th century. Compiled by: Geraldine Stout Date of upload: 28 August 2012