Church

The National Monuments Service's description

St. Martin's medieval Parish Church was situated N of St. Werburgh's Church of Ireland church (Wheeler & Craig 1948, 38). St. Martin's Lane off Werburgh Street, preserved the tradition of its site. It was assigned to the Chancellor of St. Patrick's Cathedral. In 1219-20 it was absorbed within St. Werburghs (McNeill 1950, 42; Gilbert 1854-9, 1, 28).The remains of St Martin’s church are said to have been still visible in 1529. In the 16th and 17th centuries it had chapels to St Martin, Our Lady and St Catherine. The church was enlarged in 1662, acquiring at that time a square tower at the E end. In 1715-1719 it was re-built to the designs of Colonel Thomas Burgh, architect of Trinity College Library. The façade to Werburgh Street dates from this time. Burials exposed in the 18th century on the W side of Werburgh St. were thought to be part of an associated cemetery (Bradley & King 1987, 2, 16; FMD map (1978) F8; Clarke 2002, 17).

Compiled by: Geraldine Stout

Date of upload: 28 August 2012

References

Bradley, J. & King, H. (1988) Urban Archaeological Survey, Dublin, Volume 4. A report commissioned by the Office of Public works (Unpublished).

Clarke, H.B. 1978 Dublin c. 840 - c. 1540: the medieval town in the modern city. Dublin.

Gilbert, J.T. 1854-9 (Reprint 1978) A history of the city of Dublin, 3 vols. Dublin. Gill and Macmillan.

Clarke, H.B. (ed.) 2002 Dublin, Part 1, to 1610. Irish Historic Towns Atlas, No. 11. Dublin. Royal Irish Academy.

McNeill, C. (ed.) 1950 Calendar of Archbishop Alen's Register c. 1172-1534. Dublin. Royal Society of Antiquaries.

Wheeler, H.A. and Craig, M.J. 1948 The Dublin City churches of the Church of Ireland. Dublin. A.P.C.K.