Unofficial guide. Not the National Monuments Service, the OPW, Fáilte Ireland or the landowner. Disclaimer
At a glance
- TypeChurch
- Date or period mentionedmedieval
- Condition (as surveyed)Gone: no visible trace
What to look for
- Graveyard
Picked out from the Archaeological Survey description below.
Can you visit?
- No source says it is open to the public.Most monuments in Ireland stand on private farmland.
- Ask the landowner before crossing fields, close gates, leave the stones as you find them.Visiting responsibly
History and description
Marked on the 1841 edition of the OS 6-inch map and on the Down Survey (1655-6) map. Dedicated to St Fintan and was demolished before 1731 and the site is now occupied by the Protestant church (Carrigan 1905, vol. 2, 213).
Full archaeological record 214 words
Marked on the 1841 edition of the OS 6-inch map and on the Down Survey (1655-6) map. Dedicated to St Fintan and was demolished before 1731 and the site is now occupied by the Protestant church (Carrigan 1905, vol. 2, 213). No visible surface remains.
According to Carrigan 'The foundations of what was traditionally known as 'Durrow Monastery' (LA029-042), remained till 1835, about 60 yards north-west of the churchyard of Durrow, between the base of the 'Castle Hill' and the small stone bridge crossing the Erkina at this point. The ancient parish church (LA029-045) of Durrow, dedicated to St. Fintan, stood within the present churchyard. No trace of it remains. It must have been taken down close to two centuries ago; for in 1731, its site was occupied by the Protestant parish church of Durrow, which is described as 'new built and decently pewd. And flagged'. This latter church continued in use till between 1792 and 1798, when it was replaced by its present successor' (Carrigan 1905, vol. 2, 213).
Nineteenth century C of I church located in N quadrant of a large rectangular graveyard (LA029-045001-) enclosed by a high stone wall located just off the town green of Durrow village. Current church probably built on the site of the medieval church of Durrow.
Archaeological Survey of Ireland, National Monuments Service (CC BY 4.0) · Updated 17 December 2007 · Based on the Archaeological Inventory of County Laois. It describes the site as it was when surveyed.
Folklore and traditions
According to Carrigan 'The foundations of what was traditionally known as 'Durrow Monastery' (LA029-042), remained till 1835, about 60 yards north-west of the churchyard of Durrow, between the base of the 'Castle Hill' and the small stone bridge crossing the Erkina at this point.
More ancient churches nearby
Ballyconra Church
Church · Ballyconra · Kilkenny · 4.6 km away

Saint Finan's Church
Church · Gorteenara · Kilkenny · 5.1 km away

Cullahill Castle chapel
Church · Castlequarter (Clanmallagh By.) · Laois · 6.2 km away

Barney Church
Church · Ballyconra · Kilkenny · 6.5 km away

Donaghmore Church
Church · Donaghmore (Fassadinin By.) · Kilkenny · 8.8 km away
Grange Church
Church · Grange (Fassadinin By.) · Kilkenny · 9.2 km away
Visitors' notes
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Around Durrow Church (site of)
Other heritage nearby
- St John's WellHoly well · 3.9 km
- Seskin CastleCastle · 5.0 km
- Our Lady's WellHoly well · 5.1 km
- St. Finan's WellHoly well · 5.2 km
- St Bridget's WellHoly well · 5.3 km
- Moatpark CastleCastle · 6.0 km
Recorded within 5 km
- 15 ringfortsArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 8 ancient churchesArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 7 castlesArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 4 monastic sitesArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 2 holy wellsArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 2 megalithic tombsArchaeological Survey of Ireland
Walks and trails
- Durrow Leafy Long LoopWalking Trail · 20.1 km · nearest point 0.1 km
- Durrow Leafy Loop ShortWalking Trail · 14.4 km · nearest point 0.4 km
- Abbeyleix Loops - Killamuck Bog LoopWalking Trail · 7.6 km · nearest point 5.0 km
Outdoors, towns and places to stay
- Dunmore WoodForests · 1.5 km
- CapponellanForests · 2.0 km
- Grantstown Wood and Grantstown Lough Nature ReserveNature reserves · 7.6 km
- Coolacurragh Wood Nature ReserveNature reserves · 7.8 km
- Clomanatagh CastleHistoric stays · 15 km
- Roundwood HouseHistoric stays · 22 km
Other attractions nearby
- Gardens at Castle DurrowHistoric Houses and Castle · 0.3 km
- The Irish Fly Fishing and Game MuseumMuseums and Attraction · 3.6 km
- Midland EscapeWalking · 5.2 km
Excavations nearby
- E2217 Oldglass 3, County LaoisRoad-scheme excavation report (TII) · 6.1 km
- E2216 Oldglass 2, County LaoisRoad-scheme excavation report (TII) · 6.1 km

