Kilcroney Church facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Kilcroney Church |
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Cill Chróine
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53°11′10″N 6°08′20″W / 53.186146°N 6.138794°W | |
Location | Kilcroney, Kilmacanogue, County Wicklow |
Country | Ireland |
Denomination | Pre-Reformation Catholic |
History | |
Founded | 11th century |
Dedication | Saint Cróine |
Architecture | |
Style | Celtic Christianity |
Years built | 11th century |
Specifications | |
Length | 12.12 m (39.8 ft) |
Width | 7.8 m (26 ft) |
Height | 4 m (13 ft) |
Number of floors | 1 |
Floor area | 95 m2 (1,020 sq ft) |
Materials | sandstone, granite, shale |
Administration | |
Diocese | Glendalough |
Kilcroney Church is an old, historic church located in County Wicklow, Ireland. It's considered a National Monument, which means it's a very important historical site protected by the country. This church has stood for many centuries and tells us a lot about Ireland's past.
Contents
Where is Kilcroney Church?
Kilcroney Church is found in a beautiful woodland area. It sits on the western edge of Bray. The church is also located south of the River Dargle.
A Look at Kilcroney Church's History
Early Beginnings
People believe there might have been an even older church here. This first church was probably made of wood. It was dedicated to Saint Cróine, a female saint from the 5th century.
Building the Stone Church
The stone church we see today was built in the 11th century. This was a long time ago, before the Normans arrived in Ireland. Important families like the Uí Briuin Cualann or the Ó Ceallaigh of Uí Teigh likely supported its building.
Norman Times and Beyond
Later, during the Norman period, Kilcroney Church was mentioned in official records. These records date back to 1280, 1285, and 1305. After a while, the church returned to the control of Irish families. The Ó Tuathail (O'Tooles) family took over the area.
In 1533, records show that Kilcroney was a smaller chapel. It was connected to a larger local church at Stagonyll, which is now part of Powerscourt. Other old papers suggest it was owned by St. Mary's Abbey, Dublin.
Changes Over Time
The church was made bigger in the late medieval period. In more recent times, some work has been done to fix it. The old walls have been supported to keep them from falling down.
What the Church Looks Like
Kilcroney Church has a rectangular shape. Its walls are built from different types of stone. These include sandstone, granite, and shale blocks. The southern wall has a special feature. It has a granite lintel (a stone beam above an opening) and a round-headed window.