Church

The National Monuments Service's description

The pre-Reformation parish church, dedicated to the Most Holy Trinity, was demolished in 1818 (Carrigan 1905, vol. 2, 340). No visible surface remains. Its site is now occupied by the 19th century Church of Ireland church.

Rathdowney derives its name from 'Rath Domhnaiagh, the Rath of the Domhnach or Church'(LA028-055003-) (Carrigan 1905, vol. 2, 339) where a large quantity of human bones were discovered in 1840 possibly indicating the site of an ancient church and graveyard (LA028-055004-). The pre-Reformation parish church was dedicated to the Most Holy Trinity and was demolished in 1818 (Carrigan 1905 vol. 2, 339-40). Church of Ireland church was probably built on site of the earlier church. No visible surface remains of medieval church. 'In 1465 Dermod Hoily, cleric of Ossory Diocese, bound himself, as principal, to the Camera Apostolica, for the annats of the perpetual vicariate of the parochial church of Draithdonhnaigh (Rathdowney), in the said Diocese of Ossory, vacant by the deprivation of John Olanrn' (Carrigan 1905, vol. 2, 340).

The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Laois' (Dublin Stationery Office, 1995) compiled by P. David Sweetman, Olive Alcock and Bernie Moran. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research.

Date of upload: 17 December 2007