Ullard Church facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ullard Church |
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Séipéal Iolaird
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 Ullard Church
Location in Ireland
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| 52°34′49″N 6°55′58″W / 52.580245°N 6.932714°W | |
| Location | Ullard, Borris, County Kilkenny |
| Country | Ireland |
| Denomination | Church of Ireland |
| Previous denomination | Pre-Reformation Catholic |
| History | |
| Founder(s) | Saint Fiacre, Mo Ling |
| Architecture | |
| Heritage designation | |
| Official name | Ullard Church |
| Reference no. | 670 |
| Style | Romanesque |
| Years built | 12th century |
| Specifications | |
| Length | 20 m (66 ft) |
| Width | 5.25 m (17.2 ft) |
| Nave width | 7.2 m (24 ft) |
| Height | 8 m (26 ft) |
| Number of floors | 1 |
| Floor area | 110 m2 (1,200 sq ft) |
| Materials | granite |
| Administration | |
| Diocese | Ossory |
Ullard Church is a very old church located in County Kilkenny, Ireland. It's considered a National Monument, which means it's a special historical site protected by the country. This church has a long and interesting history, dating back many centuries!
Contents
Where is Ullard Church?
Ullard Church is found about 700 meters (that's less than a kilometer!) west of the River Barrow. It's also about 2.4 kilometers south of a town called Borris, County Carlow. It sits in a quiet, peaceful area.
A Look Back: History of Ullard Church
The story of Ullard Church begins a very long time ago, possibly in the 7th century. It's believed that a monastery (a place where monks lived and prayed) was started here by either Saint Mo Ling or Saint Fiacre. These were important religious figures from early Irish history.
Later, in the 9th century, a tall and impressive high cross was put up at the site. These crosses are famous in Ireland for their detailed carvings.
The stone church you see today was built in the 12th century. It was designed in a style called Romanesque, which is known for its strong, rounded arches and thick walls. Over the years, especially in the 16th century, parts of the church were changed. For example, the doorway was rebuilt, and a stairway was added inside the wall.
Around the year 1900, something quite unusual happened! A Gaelic handball alley was built right next to the church. People used one of the church's strong walls as part of the handball court. This wasn't just a one-time thing; it happened at other old churches and castles in southeast Ireland too, because a tall, sturdy stone wall was perfect for the game.
Exploring Ullard Church
Ullard Church is a smaller church with two main parts: the nave (where people sit) and the chancel (the area near the altar). It's built from local granite, a very strong type of stone.
The most striking feature is its Romanesque doorway. It originally had three layers of decorative arches, but the inner layer has been rebuilt over time. There's also a hidden crypt (an underground room) located beneath the altar.
The Amazing High Cross
The high cross at Ullard is truly special. It stands about 4 meters (or 13 feet) tall, which is like a two-story building! It has a closed ring at the top, which is a common style for crosses found in the Barrow Valley area.
If you look closely at the carvings on the cross, you can see many stories from the Bible. Some of the scenes include the Crucifixion of Jesus, Adam and Eve, David playing his harp, and the story of the Binding of Isaac. These carvings tell important religious tales from centuries ago.
What Else is Nearby?
Just north of Ullard Church, you can find two bullaun stones nestled under some trees. These are large stones with bowl-shaped hollows, often used in ancient times for grinding or other purposes.
Even further north is Saint Fiacre's holy well. For many years, local people would visit this well. If they were traveling far away, they would often take a bottle of water from the well with them, believing it would bring them good luck on their journey.
