Unofficial guide. Not the National Monuments Service, the OPW, Fáilte Ireland or the landowner. Disclaimer
At a glance
- TypeChurch
- Date or period mentioned13th-century
- StatusNational Monument
What to look for
- Nave and chancel
- Graveyard
Picked out from the Archaeological Survey description below.
Visiting
- National Monument in State care, listed by the National Monuments Service as a monument to visit.NMS Monuments to Visit · official page
- May be on private land and not open to the publicNational Monuments Service advice
- Wear suitable footwear and clothingNational Monuments Service advice
- Uneven ground: not suitable for everyone, especially wheelchair usersNational Monuments Service advice
Opening times and fees change: check with the operator before you go.
About Tully Church
- early 10th centuryOverlooking the lane approaching the graveyard is a ringed High Cross, possibly dating to…
- 12th centuryAround the middle of the 12th century, Tully church and the surrounding lands were…
- early 13th centuryOnly the foundations of the early nave survive, with a fine granite arch dividing it from…
Where it is
- The old church of Tully near Cabinteely is situated on a low hill overlooking much of south county Dublin and has fine views of the Dublin Mountains.
Its history
- Around the middle of the 12th century, Tully church and the surrounding lands were granted to Christ Church in Dublin by Sitric Mac Torcaill, Viking ruler of Dublin.
- Only the foundations of the early nave survive, with a fine granite arch dividing it from the chancel that was added during the early 13th century.
- Overlooking the lane approaching the graveyard is a ringed High Cross, possibly dating to the early 10th century.
- In the field to the northwest is a 12th century granite High Cross.
What you'll see
- The church at Tully is referred to in the ancient Irish texts as ‘the hill of the bishops’ and was closely associated with St. Brigid’s famous foundation at Kildare.
- At the east end of the chancel are two round headed windows.
- The top has been shaped into a gabled roof with shingles and finials at the ends.
- The cross depicts the figure of a bearded bishop holding a crozier.
Text: National Monuments Service, Monuments to Visit (CC BY 4.0). Sentences grouped by topic by ErinSites; the wording is unchanged.
History and description
Full archaeological record 175 words
The church, known as Tully Church, is located beside a lane way at the foot of the Dublin Mountains. This was an early diocesan centre known as Tulach na nEpscop. There were eight bishops associated with the church by the eighth century. Its Patron Saint was St. Brigid (Anon 1900, 183, Turner 1983 61-62, O'Brien 1988, 512-513). The church remains comprise a chancel, with wall footings for the side walls of the nave which is narrower. The nave appears to be the earliest portion, the E wall has a 13th-century chancel arch cut into it. A narrow ope above the chancel arch has an entrance opening into the nave. The church is built of random granite blocks with dressed granite quoins. The chancel (int. dims. L 8.50m, Wth 5.50m) is entered through a round arch. It is lit by two deeply splayed round arched windows in the E gable and single round-arched windows in the side walls with bar holes visible in the jambs. The church stands within a series of external enclosures (Corlett 2014).
References
- Revised upload on: 14 April 2018.
Archaeological Survey of Ireland, National Monuments Service (CC BY 4.0) · Compiled by Geraldine Stout and Padraig Clancy. It describes the site as it was when surveyed.
Folklore and traditions
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Around Tully Church
Other heritage nearby
- Cabinteely wedge tombMegalithic tomb · 0.5 km
- Rathmichael Round TowerRound tower · 1.6 km
- Rathmichael Early Medieval Ecclesiastical SiteMonastic site · 1.6 km
- Kilgobbin CrossHigh cross · 4.5 km
- Archbold's CastleCastle · 4.6 km
- Dalkey CastleCastle · 4.6 km
Recorded within 5 km
- 19 castlesArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 19 ringfortsArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 13 ancient churchesArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 10 megalithic tombsArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 9 monastic sitesArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 8 holy wellsArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 3 high crossesArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 3 standing stonesArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 1 round towerArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 1 hillfortArchaeological Survey of Ireland
Walks and trails
- Dublin Mountains WayLong Distance Waymarked Way · 41.2 km · nearest point 1.9 km
- Carrickgollogan - Mountain Access routeWalking Trail · 2.0 km · nearest point 2.4 km
- Carrickgollogan - Lead Mines Way - (Orange)Walking Trail · 2.4 km · nearest point 2.6 km
Outdoors, towns and places to stay
- CarrickgolloganForests · 3.1 km
- Barnaslingan WoodForests · 3.2 km
- Corbawn LaneBeaches · 2.9 km
- KillineyBeaches · 3.0 km · Excellent Quality (2025)
- Knocksink Wood Nature ReserveNature reserves · 5.6 km
- Glen of the Downs Nature ReserveNature reserves · 13 km
- DalkeyWalled towns · 4.6 km
- MulsoecourtWalled towns · 6.5 km
- Merrion MewsHistoric stays · 12 km
- Georgian TownhouseHistoric stays · 13 km
Other attractions nearby
- Land & Legend TrailsWalking · 2.5 km
- Adams & ButlerNature and Wildlife · 2.7 km
- KillineyNature and Wildlife · 2.9 km
- Mornington GardenGardens · 3.8 km
What's on nearby
- Andy Irvine & Quilty2026-11-05 · 5.4 km
- Why Magic?2026-11-05 · 7.6 km
- ON ICE Dundrum2026-11-05 · 7.8 km
Excavations nearby
- 06E944 Laughanstown, County DublinRoad-scheme excavation report (TII) · 0.3 km
- 06E227 Sandyford to Cherrywood Extension, Murphystown, County DublinRoad-scheme excavation report (TII) · 4.4 km


