Ratass Church facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ratass Church |
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| Rathass Church | |
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Teampall Ráth Teas
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Ratass Church
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 Ratass Church
Location in Ireland
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| 52°16′01″N 9°40′55″W / 52.267007°N 9.681814°W | |
| Location | Quill Street, Tralee, County Kerry |
| Country | Ireland |
| Denomination | Catholic (pre-Reformation) |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Ruined |
| Style | Romanesque |
| Years built | 10th century AD |
| Specifications | |
| Length | 16 m (52 ft) |
| Width | 7.5 m (25 ft) |
| Number of floors | 1 |
| Floor area | 120 m2 (1,300 sq ft) |
| Materials | Sandstone, limestone, mortar |
| Administration | |
| Diocese | Ardfert and Aghadoe |
Ratass Church is an old church building located in Tralee, County Kerry, Ireland. It's famous for its special stones with ancient writings called Ogham stones. This church is so important that it's protected as a National Monument of Ireland.
Contents
Where is Ratass Church?
Ratass Church and its nearby graveyard are found on Quill Street. This street is in the eastern part of Tralee, a town in County Kerry, Ireland.
The History of Ratass Church
From Ancient Fort to Church
Long ago, even before the church, people believe there was a ringfort here. A ringfort was a circular area surrounded by an earth wall, often used as a home or a safe place. This fort was called Rath Mhaighe Teas, which means "fort of the southern plain."
Later, in the 10th century, a church made of sandstone was built on this spot. This church was very important for a short time. From 1111 to 1117, it was the main church, or episcopal seat, for a church area in Kerry. After 1117, this main church moved to Ardfert.
How the Church Changed Over Time
The western wall (called the gable) and some parts of the main hall (called the nave) of the church are from this very first building. The rest of the church was built later, adding to the original structure over time.
The Mysterious Ogham Stone
One of the most interesting things at Ratass Church is the Ogham Stone. This stone is much older than the church itself! Experts believe the writing on it was carved around the years AD 550–600. This is based on the old Irish language style used in the inscription.
What the Ogham Stone Looks Like
The Ogham Stone is made of a beautiful purple sandstone. It measures about 145 centimeters tall, 34 centimeters wide, and 20 centimeters thick.
The Stone's Message
The stone has an inscription that reads: "[A]NM SILLANN MAQ VATTILLOGG". This translates to "name of Sílán son of Fáithloga". It's like an ancient name tag!
How the Stone Was Found
This special stone was discovered in 1975 during a cleanup of the church area. It was found hidden because the walls of a burial vault, built in the 19th century, were almost touching it.
