Church in Rathmore West

According to Bradley et al. (1986 vol. 4, 430-2), the earliest reference to a church at Rathmore occurs c. 1270 in a list of the deaneries of the diocese of Dublin, although, apparently by then it was already a rectory and a mother-church with annexed chapels. In 1318, Thomas FitzJohn, earl of Kildare, granted the advowson of the church to the Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem, along with a messuage and 15 acres of land in the town (KD020-009001-). The Hospitallers held the church for the remainder of the medieval period, and the rectory of Rathmore is listed in the Dissolution extent of the Order's possessions. The dedication of the church to St. Columba is first mentioned in 1577. The church was 'in repair' in 1615 but by 1630 was in ruins. Present remains consist of a multi-period C of I church dedicated to St. Columcille which stands on the site of and possibly incorporates masonry from the medieval church. The C of I church which is still used as place of worship stands in W quadrant of graveyard (KD020-009006-) with motte castle (KD020-009004-) immediately to N. The present C of I church was described by Byrne (2014, 2-3) as following; 'The present church dates to 1766 and comprises a three-bay single-storey Gothic-style structure, with lancet-arch openings, single-bay single-storey gabled vestry projection to north and single-bay three-stage rubble-stone tower to west on a square plan with corner pinnacles. The gable-ended roof, which is also gabled to vestry projection, comprises replacement artificial slate and concrete ridge tiles and incorporates cast-iron rainwater goods on moulded cut-stone eaves course. The tower roof is not visible behind the stone rubble parapet wall. The replacement pebble-render on southern wall dates to the mid-1970s and is over slate-cladding which is over the rubble-stone construction. The remaining walls have a rough-cast render and are unpainted. The rubble-stone walls of the tower are, for the most part, base and un-rendered; rubble-stone parapet wall with cut-stone coping having elongated pyramidal corner pinnacles. The lancet-arch window opes have stone sills and diamond-leaded fixed-pane replacement timber windows. There is a round-headed blind opening to first stage of tower, with rectangular recessed panel overhead; elliptical-headed openings to third stage incorporating stone sills and louvered timber panels'. Archaeological excavations carried out in 2008 revealed that 'the present church, which was constructed in 1766, is on the site of an earlier church' (Byrne 2011, 204). The removal of dumped soil along the eastern and southern walls of the church revealed 'four short fragments of walls, two extending east from the eastern gable and two from the southern gable. It is assumed that those on the east formed part of the chancel, which was in existence at least until c. 1630. The walls to the south may have formed part of a southern transept and it is noted that the line of the western wall coincides with that of the vestry on the north side of the church. In addition, an arch was previously noted by parishioners at this location on the internal face following removal of plaster. This has since been re-plastered. In addition, the shadow of a similar arch on the internal face of the northern side wall is identifiable, indicating the probability of a northern transept. It may be that these possible transepts may be associated with the four chapels which were identified with the Rathmore Church in 1533. The wall remains were not further investigated as this was outside the agreed archaeological brief. However, the areas subjected to ground reductions have been covered in gravel to provide pathways around the church and the possibility of further investigations can easily be undertaken. No artefacts of archaeological interest were recovered, although a collection of loose human bone was recovered. It is assumed that this collection came from debris associated with the excavation of graves within the existing graveyard, which is still in use' (Byrne 2011, 204). Compiled by: Gearóid Conroy Updated by: Caimin O'Brien Date of revised upload: 12 March 2015