St Doulagh's Church facts for kids
St Doulagh's Church (Irish: Clochar Dúiligh) is a very old church in Ireland. It's special because it has a stone roof and is still used today! You can find it about 10 kilometers from Dublin city, near a small place called Balgriffin. It's part of Fingal in County Dublin.
The church area also has an unusual octagonal building. This building was used for baptisms and is built over a holy well. It's the only standalone baptistry like it left in Ireland! There's also a stone cover over a pool. St Doulagh's is one of two churches in the Church of Ireland that are part of the "United Parishes of Malahide, Portmarnock and St Doulagh's."
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History of St Doulagh's Church
The oldest part of St Doulagh's Church was built in the 12th century. People believe it was once a small place where monks lived. But studies show that Christians were active here even earlier, possibly around the time of St. Patrick.
Long ago, around 1000 AD, King Sitric of Dublin gave land here to Holy Trinity (which is now Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin). Later, in 1179, Pope Alexander III gave the "church lands at Clochar" to Laurence O'Toole, who was the Archbishop of Dublin. This shows it was already church land.
The first clear mention of a church building at St Doulagh's was in 1406. At that time, people who visited the church, confessed their sins, and gave money could receive special forgiveness. This money might have helped expand the church building. It seems the church was built over many centuries, with new parts added and changes made over time.
After the English Reformation, the church became part of the official church in England and Ireland. Most people in Ireland were Roman Catholic and had to worship in other places.
Who Was St Doulagh?
We don't know much about St Doulagh (Irish: Naomh Dúileach), who the church is named after. He is thought to have lived in the early 7th century. He was a hermit or anchorite, meaning he lived alone and had very little contact with others. He is said to have lived in a small room attached to the church.
Some old writings mention St Doulagh. One document from the 9th century calls the church "Duilech Cain Clochair." His feast day, a special day to remember him, is November 17.
There was another idea that the church was founded by a Norse saint named St Olave. But experts now agree that the church's style is Irish. They also believe that St Doulagh, the Irish saint, was the true founder.
Near the church, there's a curved ditch that might be from the 6th or 7th century. This suggests there was a Christian settlement and graveyard here a very long time ago. St Doulagh could have lived on this site back then.
Buildings at St Doulagh's
The Church Building
The main church building is about 14.6 meters long and 5.5 meters wide. It has a special double roof made of rough stone. There's a space between the inner and outer roofs that people could use. A small stone tower sits partway along the roof. Inside, there's a smaller room, believed to be where St Doulagh is buried, and a larger room that was the main worship area. There's also a staircase leading to an upper floor and the tower. Along the stairs, you can find the Prior's chamber, where clergy might have eaten and slept. A newer part of the church was added in 1864.
Holy Well, Baptistry, and Pool
The church complex also includes a special area with a sunken stone enclosure. Inside this, there's a low, eight-sided building called St Doulagh's Well. This building covers a natural spring. Outside, there's an open-air pool with stone seats. Pilgrims used to gather here on November 17. The octagonal building is believed to be a baptistry, a place for baptisms. It's the only separate baptistry like it left in Ireland. The pool next to it might have been used for baptizing adults by dipping them in the water.
In 1609, the baptistry was repaired and decorated with paintings of saints like St Patrick, St Doulagh, St Bridget, and St Columcille. Sadly, these paintings were later damaged by soldiers.
Further along a path, there's another small stone building with a pool of water called St Catherine's Pond. This pool might also have been used for baptisms. It's connected to St Doulagh's well underground, and both are supplied by the same spring.
The Cross
At the entrance to the church grounds, there is a cross made of granite. This type of stone is not found locally.
How the Church Was Used
The church was a place for people to gather and celebrate Christian ceremonies. In medieval times, people would attend Mass, baptisms, marriages, and funerals. There would have been an altar, which is now gone.
There is a small baptismal font inside the church. This would have been placed near the entrance, showing that baptism is how people join the church. There's also a larger, more detailed font outside, which is much newer than the church itself. It looks similar to a famous baptistry in Florence, Italy.
By the 11th century, baptizing babies became common. A church rule from 1186 said that a stone baptismal font should be placed in the church. It's likely that special processions also took place inside and outside the church. The unique outdoor baptistry, built over a well, suggests that baptisms might have happened at this well even before formal rules were made.
Attending Mass was required for church members. A rule from 1453 said that Mass should be held every Sunday and on holidays. People were expected to attend, and no work was allowed on these days. The church bell would be rung three times to announce Mass. This gives us a good idea of how St Doulagh's operated.
The Oratory
The eastern room on the ground floor of the old church building is now called The Oratory. Experts believe this was the very first part of the church to be built and was used for worship. The altar would have been at the eastern end. A window in the south wall of The Oratory is thought to be from around 1230 AD. There's also a taller window behind where the altar would have been.
Near the altar, there's a very narrow window. Some say this was a "viewing hole" for people with leprosy, who were not allowed inside the main church. In the west wall, there's a hole that people believed could cure illnesses. There are also signs of old arches in the west wall that were blocked up. These might have led to an aisle that was added to fit more people.
Restoration Work
The church complex, especially the baptistry, was cleaned and restored in 1991. The government helped pay for this work. The newer Victorian part of the church was not the main focus of this restoration.
People Connected to St. Doulagh's
The Precentor of Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin was in charge of the church and provided its priest. Important people like Rev. Dr. James Saurin, who later became a bishop, served at St Doulagh's starting in 1788.
Graveyard
There is a graveyard outside the church. We don't know exactly when the first burials happened there. Being buried inside such a small church was very rare and a great honor, usually only for the founder or a very important helper. Tradition says that St Doulagh himself was buried just inside the church entrance.
