Church

The National Monuments Service's description

On N side of Youghal town, St. Mary's collegiate church, erected in mid-13th century on site of earlier church, parts of which it may have incorporated (Hayman 1896, i-ii); described by Leask (1966, vol. 2, 153) as 'second largest parish church of medieval times still standing and in use in Ireland'. Cruciform in plan (Hayman 1854, facing 103) with aisled nave; tower (CO067-029015-) at angle of N aisle and transept. Chancel completely rebuilt in 2nd half of 15th century, with 'lancets in pairs and threes, which are features of the main church of c. 1250, copied in form and size' (Leask 1966, vol. 3, 113); the E window is 'six lights wide....divided into two parts by a master mullion diverging to right and left of a small rose' (ibid., 124; see plate XVb). Though damaged by Desmond's followers in 1579 (Killanin and Duignan 1962, 459), church in good repair by 1615 (Brady 1867, vol. 2, 412), though by 18th century chancel was roofless. Church renovated 1852-7, including re-roofing entire structure, so that by 1860, 'church in perfect order' (Brady ibid., 421). Church includes many interesting memorials (Hayman 1896, ii-xii), notably elaborate monument of Richard Boyle, Earl of Cork, erected in 1620 by London sculptor Alexander Hills (Harris 1998); on it 'both his wives kneel, while he and his mother-in-law above him adopt a more modern pose' (i.e. they recline) (Potterton 1975, 7, 18,50). Church contains 14th century eight-sided baptismal font (Harbison 1977, 62); a late 13th century effigy repaired or composite (head male; body female); late 13th century head-slab of a man; early 14th century effigy (Thomas Paris) in a wall tomb; early 14th century effigy (Matheu le Mercer) in a canopy tomb (Hunt, ibid., 130-1).

The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Cork. Volume 2: East and South Cork' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1994). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research.

Revised by: Paul Walsh

Revised date of upload: 18 June 2015

References

Hayman, S. 1896 (new edition 1973) The hand book for Youghal. Youghal: T. Lindsey Field.

Hunt, J. 1974 Irish medieval figure sculpture 1200-1600, 2 vols. Dublin. Irish University Press.

Potterton, H. 1975 Irish church monuments 1570-1880. Belfast. Ulster Architectural Heritage Society.

Harris, A.L. 1998 The funerary monuments of Richard, Earl of Cork. Church monuments xiii, 70-86.