Skryne Church facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Skryne Church |
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| Skreen Church Skryne Tower The Steeple |
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Scrín Choluim Chille
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 Skryne Church
Location in Ireland
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| 53°35′09″N 6°33′47″W / 53.585946°N 6.563023°W | |
| Location | Hill of Skryne, Skryne, County Meath |
| Country | Ireland |
| Denomination | Church of Ireland |
| Previous denomination | Pre-Reformation Catholic |
| History | |
| Founder(s) | Francis de Feypo, Baron Skryne |
| Dedication | St. Lawrence O'Toole |
| Relics held | Columba (formerly) |
| Architecture | |
| Years built | 1341 |
| Specifications | |
| Length | 36.3 m (119 ft) |
| Width | 6.47 m (21.2 ft) |
| Nave width | 6.47 m (21.2 ft) |
| Height | 30 m (98 ft) |
| Number of floors | 3 |
| Floor area | 235 m2 (2,530 sq ft) |
| Administration | |
| Diocese | Meath |
Skryne Church is an old church building in County Meath, Ireland. It is now a ruin, but it's an important National Monument. This means it's a protected historical site.
Contents
Where is Skryne Church Located?
Skryne Church sits on top of the Hill of Skryne. This hill is about 1.4 kilometers (0.9 miles) northwest of Skryne village. It's also about 3.2 kilometers (2 miles) east of the famous Hill of Tara.
What is the History of Skryne Church?
Long ago, there was a monastery called Achall on this very spot. In the 900s, something special happened. The shrine, or maybe some important items, of Columba (also known as Colm Cille) were brought here. They were kept safe from raiders. Because of this, the place got its name, Scrín Choluim Chille. This means "Colmcille's Shrine" in Irish.
Early Days and Norman Influence
The monastery was attacked and robbed many times. But it kept going even after the Norman conquest of Ireland. A man named Adam de Feypo started a new church here. He dedicated it to Nicholas of Myra. Adam gave the church to his brother Thomas, who was a monk. This church was looked after by St. Mary's Abbey, Dublin until the 1500s.
Building the Church and Tower
The main Skryne Church building was constructed in 1341. It was built for a group of monks called Augustinians. The person who built it was Francis de Feypo, the last Baron Skryne. Later, in the 1400s, the tall tower was added to the church.
What Does the Church Look Like?
The church has a main hall, called a nave, and a smaller area at the end, called a chancel. There are stairs built into the walls that lead up to where a screen once stood. You can also see an arched space where a tomb might have been. Near the door, there's a carving of a man. Some people think this might be Columba.
The bell tower is very tall, about three stories high. Its base is wider at the bottom, which makes it very strong. Inside the tower, you can find pieces of an old baptismal font. This was a special basin used for baptisms. There's also a piece of a tombstone. Close by, there's an old medieval cross standing.
Images for kids
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Doorway with a carved figure of a saint above it.
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The Marward Stone, a burial site from the 1500s for the Barons Skryne.
