Cannistown Church facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cannistown Church |
|
|---|---|
| Ardsallagh Church Kennastown Church |
|
|
Teampall Bhaile Cheana
|
|
 |
|
 Cannistown Church
Location in Ireland
|
|
| 53°37′07″N 6°40′04″W / 53.618516°N 6.667914°W | |
| Location | Ardsallagh, Navan, County Meath |
| Country | Ireland |
| Denomination | Pre-Reformation Catholic |
| History | |
| Dedication | Brigit of Kildare |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Ruins |
| Heritage designation | |
| Official name | Cannistown Church |
| Reference no. | 239 |
| Style | Anglo-Norman, Gothic |
| Years built | 12th–15th century |
| Groundbreaking | 12 century |
| Completed | 15th century |
| Closed | 16th century |
| Specifications | |
| Length | 22.85 m (75.0 ft) |
| Width | 7.25 m (23.8 ft) |
| Nave width | 5.45 m (17.9 ft) |
| Height | 7 m (23 ft) |
| Number of floors | 1 |
| Floor area | 57 m2 (610 sq ft) |
| Materials | sandstone, mortar, Old Red Sandstone |
| Administration | |
| Diocese | Meath |
Cannistown Church is an old church from the Middle Ages. It is now a National Monument located in County Meath, Ireland. This means it's a very important historical site protected by the country.
Where is Cannistown Church?
Cannistown Church is found on the west side of the River Boyne. It is about 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) south of the town of Navan. The famous Hill of Tara, an ancient royal site, is also nearby. It lies about 5.8 kilometers (3.6 miles) to the southeast.
A Look Back: History of the Church
The area around Cannistown Church is called Ardsallagh. Its name comes from Irish words meaning "height of willows." People believe that an early Christian monastery once stood here. This monastery was started by Finnian of Clonard in the 500s. It was known by different names over time. One old story says that Saint Senach studied at this monastery.
Cannistown Church was built in the 1100s. It was likely built by the de Angulo / Nangle family. They were Anglo-Normans, people from England and France who came to Ireland. This family was given the land of Cannistown by Hugh de Lacy, Lord of Meath. The church was dedicated to Brigit of Kildare, a very important Irish saint.
From the 1200s onwards, Cannistown Church served as the main church for the local area. It was rebuilt and updated in the 1400s or 1500s. However, some of its original parts still remain. The chancel, which is the part of the church where the altar is, is one of these original features. Records from the early 1300s also mention a church at "Ardsalach."
The church stopped being used around the time of the Reformation. This was a period when big changes happened in the Christian church. In 1612, a bishop named George Montgomery described the church as "in ruins." This means it was already falling apart back then.
What the Church Looks Like
Cannistown Church has two main parts: a nave and a chancel. The nave is the main area where people would sit. The chancel is the part near the altar. Both parts have tall, pointed walls called gables. You can also see the remains of a bell-gable at the west end. This is where a bell would have hung.
One of the most interesting parts is the arch that leads into the chancel. It has special carvings on each side.
- One carving shows three dogs attacking an otter or a fox.
- Another carving shows three men. Some people think this might show the Arrest of Jesus from the Bible.
On the north wall, there is a single lancet window. This is a tall, narrow window with a pointed top. There is also an ambry at ground level. An ambry is a small cupboard built into the wall. It was used to store important items for church services. On the south wall, at the east end, you can find another lancet window and a piscina. A piscina is a stone basin used for washing sacred vessels. Inside the nave, there is also a small bullaun stone. This is a stone with a bowl-shaped hollow, often used for grinding or holding water.
