Kilcroney Church facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Kilcroney Church |
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Cill Chróine
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 Kilcroney Church
Location in Ireland
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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 church from the Middle Ages located in County Wicklow, Ireland. It is also known as a National Monument, which means it's a very important historical site protected by the country.
Contents
Where is Kilcroney Church?
Kilcroney Church is found in a wooded area. It sits on the western edge of a town called Bray. The church is also located south of the River Dargle.
The Church's Story
Early Beginnings
Historians believe there might have been an even older church here. This first church was probably made of wood. It was dedicated to a saint named Saint Cróine, who lived in the 5th century.
Building the Stone Church
The stone church you see today was built much later, around the 11th century. This was a long time ago, before the Normans came to Ireland. Important local families, like the Uí Briuin Cualann or the Ó Ceallaigh, likely supported its building.
Norman Times and Beyond
Later, during the Norman period, Kilcroney Church was mentioned in official records. After some time, the area returned to the control of Irish families, like the Ó Tuathail (O'Tooles). In the 1500s, it was noted that Kilcroney was a smaller chapel. It was connected to a bigger church at Stagonyll, which is now part of Powerscourt. Some records also suggest it belonged to St. Mary's Abbey, Dublin.
Changes Over Time
The church was made bigger in the later medieval period. In more recent times, some work has been done to fix it up. For example, its old walls have been supported to keep them from falling down.
What the Church Looks Like
The church has a rectangular shape. Its walls are built from different types of stone. You can see sandstone, granite, and shale blocks. On the southern wall, there is a special granite lintel (a stone beam above a doorway or window). There is also a window with a rounded top.
