Rathcoole Church

Detached single-cell gable-fronted Church of Ireland church, c.1740. Two-bay nave, three-bay west front with simple gable bellcote. Roughcast rendered walls with brick eaves and large granite footing. Double lancet diamond-paned stained glass windows set in segmental-arched surrounds to sides. Double lancet stained glass window set in a roll-moulded round-headed surround to east end. Timber tongue and groove door, with quatrefoil opening over and single lancets flanking, all with diamond-paned casement windows. To south elevation, small plaque near base of wall as a memorial to the remains of the son of the Earl of Meath, dated 1764. Pitched slate roof with raised gables. Plain barrel-vaulted interior with timber pews and pulpit, and polychrome tiled floor. Graveyard surrounding with gravestones dating from the late eighteenth century to the 1990s, and large yew tree. Boundary wall of stone rubble.

This Anglican church and surrounding graveyard have a commanding position above the road. The simple design and minimal enrichments show it to be a fine example of an eighteenth-century Anglican Church, enhanced by the well-maintained surroundings and, in particular, the Kennedy Family tomb to the north.