Killoughternane Church facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Killoughternane Church |
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| The White Church | |
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Cill Fhoirtchearnáin
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 Killoughternane Church
Location in Ireland
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| 52°38′02″N 6°51′13″W / 52.6339°N 6.8536°W | |
| Location | Killoughternane, Borris, County Carlow, Ireland |
| Country | Ireland |
| Denomination | Pre-Reformation Catholic |
| History | |
| Founded | 10th century AD |
| Founder(s) | Saint Fortcheirn |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | In ruins |
| Heritage designation | National Monument |
| Style | Celtic |
| Specifications | |
| Length | 5.5 metres (18 ft) |
| Width | 3.5 metres (11 ft) |
| Number of floors | 1 |
| Floor area | 19 square metres (200 sq ft) |
| Materials | granite |
| Administration | |
| Parish | Myshall and Drumphea |
| Diocese | Kildare and Leighlin |
Killoughternane Church is an old church from the 10th century in County Carlow, Ireland. It was built by early Irish Christians, known as Celtic Christians. This stone church stands on the spot where an even older wooden church once stood. That first church was built by a person named Fortiarnán (also known as Fortchern or Fortcheirn) way back in the 5th century AD.
Contents
Where to Find Killoughternane Church
Killoughternane Church is located in the southern part of County Carlow. It is found to the northwest of Mount Leinster. The church is about 6 kilometers (about 3.7 miles) northeast of the town of Borris.
A Look into History and Archaeology
The Ancient Monastery
A bishop named St Fortichern started a monastery here in the 5th century. He was one of St Patrick's helpers and taught St Finnian of Clonard. This monastery became a very important place for learning for over a thousand years. Today, the only part of the monastery you can still see is the ruined church, which was built in the 10th century.
Discoveries Beneath the Ground
In 2001, archaeologists explored the area. They found signs of other monastery buildings hidden under the road. These buildings were made of wood with thatched roofs and walls of clay or woven branches. There was a chapel and three other support buildings. These discoveries were found on both sides of the road, near Killoughternane Cross.
The survey also showed that before the stone church was built, there was an earlier wooden church from the 8th century. This older church was the same length as the ruined stone church but much wider. They also found a very old burial from the Stone Age (Neolithic period) beneath the stone church. The archaeologists believe there might have been as many as 25 buildings at the Killoughternane site.
The Monastery's Growth
The monastery once had a tall round tower. It was about 96 feet (29 meters) high and stood northwest of the church. Sadly, this tower was destroyed in the 13th century when lightning struck it.
During the Middle Ages, the monastery grew bigger. A large stone church with a wooden shingle roof was built. Other buildings like an infirmary (a place for the sick), a dormitory (where monks slept), and classrooms were also added. In the 14th century, the last stone buildings were constructed. These included a lecture hall, a washroom, and a place for people to live.
The Church Building Itself
The church is built from local granite stones that were shaped with a hammer. Its walls are very thick, about 80 centimeters (31 inches) wide. Inside, in one corner, there is a special basin called a baptismal font, used for baptisms. There are also special wall extensions called antae on each side. The archaeological work also found proof that the site was once a burial ground during the Stone Age.
St. Fortcheirn's Well
Across the road from the church, there is a holy well and an altar. In the past, people from County Wexford would travel across the Blackstairs Mountains to this well. They believed the water had special powers to heal them.
In the 19th century, a special cup called a chalice and a small plate called a paten were found hidden in the well. Both were made of silver with gold decorations. The chalice had a date on it: 1595. People think these items were hidden during a time called the Penal era. During this time, the practice of Catholicism in Ireland was not allowed, so people had to hide their religious items. Today, the chalice and paten are kept at the local church house in Muine Bheag.
