churches historical around carlow town

A large flat stone, now leaning though originally upright, with a hole 6 inches wide at one end. It may have been a so-called 'port-hole' stone which closed the chamber of a megalithic tomb. However, the traditional explanation - as usual, much more romantic and appealing - is that it was a stone used at the dawn of history by Niall of the Nine Hostages to tie up Eochaidh, son of Enna Eochaidh broke the chain and took his revenge by killing the nine men whom Niall had sent to kill him. Up til...

This church, a preserved ruin, is on the site of an old monastery founded by St. Comghan towards the end of the 5th century. The present church was built in the 12th century and has one of the finest Romanesque doorways in Ireland....

Preserved ruin of church dating back to 1262....

A replica of Salisbury Cathedral, this architectural gem was completed in 1913 by London businessman John Duguid as a memorial of love to his daughter Constance who was killed in a riding accident near the village in 1888, and his wife Adelaide who died in 1903....

A small Early Christian church with antae and a round-headed east window. Note the small baptismal font in the north-eastern corner. In this church the Leinstermen venerated the founder, St Fortchern, who was the teacher of St Finian of Clonard....

A small 12th century church close to the River Barrow and containing two early crosses. A biography of Saint Patrick was written here in the 7th century....

Small roadside early church, a roofless ruin of simple design. The original building dates back to Saint Fortchern, late 5th century....