Kildare Ireland

Kildare (cell dara, the church of the oak). The See of Kildare Accommodation, Kildare, Ireland) was for some time during the early period of its existence reckoned as an archbishopric. It was founded some time in the sixth century by St Brigid and originated in a. monastic institution. The early history of the See is obscure, and there is difficulty ill tracing its line of bishops. Harris, writing in the early part of the eighteenth century, described the church as being for the most part in ruins, but with the walls still standing, also the south side of the steeple and the walls of the nave. Service was held in the choir. He mentions the round tower and also a pedestal of rough stones formed by the base of a cross, the top of which lay in the churchyard, while the shaft was converted into a step leading to the communion table. The cathedral remained in this state until the latter portion of the last century, when it was restored under the direction of the late G. E. Street. Before the restoration Mr Street reported on the state of the fabric and stated that the ancient cathedral appeared to have been a simple cruciform church with a tower, and a chapel of some kind opening from the eastern side of the south transept : tlie building appearing to have belonged to the thirteenth century. The church as at present restored is a small and plain cruciform building, aisleless and with a central tower. The ancient round tower with its embattled top adds a picturesque effect to the cathedral.

Posted on April 16th, 2008 under Architecture. Tags: Bishop Sanders, Carlow, Cathedral, chapel, church, G. E. Street, Ireland, Kildare, Leighlin, Ossory, St Brigid, Towers, walls. Comments: None