Old R. C. Chapel — Ramsgrange

Situated on a level landscape within the village of Ramsgrange. This was the first Roman Catholic church at Ramsgrange, now removed without trace. It is located in a triangular graveyard (dims 68m E-W; 48m N-S) defined by masonry walls and with a curved perimeter S-W. The church is depicted as a T-shaped chapel on a manuscript map (MS Map 21 F 20 (10)) in the National Library of Ireland, dated 1803, and as a post-Penal church it was probably no more than 20 years old at the time. It is depicted as a large cross-shaped structure (dims c. 40m E-W; c. 30m N-S) on the 1839 ed. of the OS 6-inch map where it is described as the Old R. C. Chapel. Two granite crosses with expanded ends, originally from the gables, are in graveyard. The present St. James’ Catholic church was built in 1838-43. (Grattan-Flood 1915, 109-11) The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Wexford' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1996). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Compiled by: Michael Moore Date of upload/revision: 18 June, 2013