Killaliathan Church facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Killaliathan Church |
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| Killagholehane Church | |
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Cill Achadh Uí Liatháin
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 Killaliathan Church
Location in Ireland
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| 52°19′55″N 8°58′38″W / 52.331812°N 8.977135°W | |
| Location | Lacka Lower, Broadford, County Limerick |
| Country | Ireland |
| Denomination | Church of Ireland |
| Previous denomination | Catholic (pre-Reformation) |
| History | |
| Dedication | Our Lady of the Snows |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | inactive |
| Years built | 15th century AD |
| Closed | 1812 |
| Specifications | |
| Length | 14 m (46 ft) |
| Width | 9 m (30 ft) |
| Number of floors | 1 |
| Floor area | 125 m2 (1,350 sq ft) |
| Materials | limestone, mortar |
| Administration | |
| Diocese | Limerick and Killaloe |
Killaliathan Church, also known as Killagholehane Church, is an old church building from the Middle Ages. It is located in County Limerick, Ireland, and is protected as a National Monument.
Contents
Where is Killaliathan Church?
This historic church is found about 1.6 kilometers (1 mile) south of Broadford, County Limerick.
The Story of Killaliathan Church
Early Beginnings
The area where Killaliathan Church stands today was once home to an even older Christian church. This first church was built around the year 1200. It was dedicated to "Our Lady of the Snows." This dedication came from a story about a summer snowfall that covered everything except for the field where the church was built.
The land for the church was given by the local leaders, who were called the Uí Liatháin. Because of this, the church was named Cill Achadh Uí Liatháin, which means "church of Uí Liatháin's field." This name later became Killaliathan.
A New Church is Built
Sadly, the first church was destroyed during a war in 1302. A new church was then built in its place. This new building was called Killagholehane. Its name, Cill Deochain Liatháin, means "Deacon Liathán's church."
Killaliathan Church was eventually replaced by a new Church of Ireland building in the nearby village of Broadford in 1812. Even though the old church is no longer used for services, its graveyard is still in use today.
What the Church Looks Like
Inside the Church
The east window of Killaliathan Church is special because it is divided into three sections, called "lights." This design is quite unusual.
Inside the church, you can still see some parts of its past. There is a baptismal font, which is a basin used for baptisms. You can also find a tomb from the 15th century and part of the sacristy, which was a room where priests prepared for services.
A Bardic Family's Tomb?
A gallery, which is like a balcony, once stood above the main doorway. The old tomb found inside the church might belong to the famous Ó Dálaigh family. They were well-known bards, which means they were poets and storytellers who often sang their works.
