Church

The National Monuments Service's description

The following description has been uploaded from https://www.buildingsofireland.ie/buildings-search/building/30400204/saint-johns-church-durrow-ballymoe-co-galway last accessed 19 October 2020.

Freestanding limestone-built Church of Ireland church, built 1832, having three-stage tower. Now roofless. Four-bay nave. Pitched roof, now missing covering, with cut-stone copings, and tower having crenellations and carved stone pinnacles with gable details. Coursed rubble limestone walls, having string courses between stages of tower, latter also having chamfered corners from just below strong course between lower stages. Pointed-arch windows with chamfered chiselled ashlar surrounds, and remains of metal latticework glazing. Pointed-arch doorway to tower, with similar detailing to windows, and having uninscribed shileld plaque above. Double-light window to vestry with carved limestone surround. Cast-iron railings of c.1850 to road boundary, topped with spearheads. Medieval-style nineteenth-century tomb of Bagot family to graveyard.
Saint John's Church of Ireland church is a typical First Fruits church of about 1820. Though roofless it is an important landmark in the district and displays a wealth of good architectural detailing. The tower, with its well made pinnacles, is particularly noteworthy and the site, with spearheaded railings and a graveyard, adds considerably to the site.

The church was primarily known as Oran Church but was also known as Drimtemple Church and Ballymoe Church. It was consecrated 15 August 1833 and closed c. 1962 (information from Mr M. Williams, July 2020).

Compiled by: Olive Alcock

Date of upload: 19 October 2020