Labbamolaga Church facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Labbamolaga Church |
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Leaba Molaga
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 Labbamolaga Church
Location in Ireland
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| 52°18′39″N 8°20′52″W / 52.310764°N 8.347678°W | |
| Location | Labbamolaga Middle, Mitchelstown, County Cork |
| Country | Ireland |
| Denomination | Pre-Reformation Catholic |
| History | |
| Dedication | St. Molaga |
| Relics held | St. Molaga |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | ruined |
| Style | Celtic Christian |
| Closed | by 16th century |
| Specifications | |
| Length | 11.8 m (39 ft) |
| Width | 7.2 m (24 ft) |
| Number of floors | 1 |
| Floor area | 85 m2 (910 sq ft) |
| Materials | stone, mortar |
| Administration | |
| Diocese | Cloyne |
Labbamolaga Church is an old church in County Cork, Ireland. It is a special place called a National Monument. This means it's protected because of its important history.
Contents
Where is Labbamolaga Church?
Labbamolaga Church is found about 7.3 kilometers (4.5 miles) northwest of Mitchelstown. It sits on the east side of a small stream called Monaheancree.
The History of Labbamolaga
Ancient Stones and Legends
Near the church, you can see four tall standing stones. These stones were put there a very long time ago, during the Bronze Age. They might have been part of a stone circle. Local stories say these stones were once four thieves. The legend claims they stole a special cup (a chalice) and holy items (relics). As punishment, they were turned into stone!
Saint Molaga's Church
Around the 7th century AD, a holy man named Saint Molaga started a church and monastery here. He is also the person who gave his name to another place called Timoleague. People traditionally believe that Saint Molaga was the one who first brought beekeeping to Ireland.
In 1897, a researcher named William Copeland Borlase suggested something interesting. He thought that Saint Molaga, along with other saints like Molua and Lachtene, might have been named after an old Celtic god called Lugh. This idea suggests that Christian beliefs sometimes took over older traditions.
The Oratory and Its Purpose
The small building next to the church, called an oratory, was built around 900 AD. It was made as a special tomb shrine for Saint Molaga, the founder. There's a stone slab with carvings that marks "Leaba Molaige," which means "Molaga's Bed." In an old book called the Book of Lismore, this place is called "Eidhnen Molaige," meaning "Molaige's ivy-covered church." Long ago, local people would touch Saint Molaga's tombstone. They believed it could help cure rheumatism, a condition that causes pain in joints.
The church eventually fell into ruins by the 16th century.
What Labbamolaga Church Looks Like
The Main Church Building
The main church building is large and rectangular. It was built in the Romanesque style, which was popular in Europe during the Middle Ages.
The Oratory Building
The oratory is also rectangular, measuring about 6.33 meters (20.8 feet) long and 4.45 meters (14.6 feet) wide. It has special parts called antae, which are like small pillars at the ends of the walls. The doorway on the west side is made from three very large stones. Some people think these stones might have come from the ancient megaliths nearby. If so, it could show how Christianity took the place of older beliefs.
The Cross Slab
In the graveyard, there is a special stone called a cross slab. On one side, it has a Celtic cross carved into it, which is a type of cross with a circle around the center. On the other side, it has a simple Latin cross.
Cursing-stones
Under a stone slab, you can find several round hollows in stones called bullauns. These were known as clocha mealachta, which means "stones of rebuke."
See also
