Bawnboy and Templeport
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| CHURCHES IN TEMPLEPORT PARISH
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After the overthrow of Crom Cruaich, St. Patrick established a church in Kilnavart. The Baronial Map of 1609 shows a church in the same grounds, and Inquisition Elizabeth, No.3 states that 2 polls (about 30 acres) of land attached to it are valued at two shillings per annum. At some stage in the 18th century it is reported (Lewis' Topographical Dictionary) that at Kilnavart are the remains of an ancient monastery of which there are no particulars on record with an extensive burial place still in use.
A church was built on the site, probably by Fr. John Ward in the 1780-'90 period. This was a thatched church with clay floors and a gallery at the south end, reached by outside stone steps. It was a simple edifice 45'x24'x9'. The altar was in the middle of the east side. Orientation was at right angles to the present church. This church was replaced in 1867-'68 when the present church of the Immaculate Conception, designed by William Hague Jnr., of Cavan and Dublin was erected on the same site by Rev. Patrick Smith P.P. St. Patrick’s Church Kilnavart, the name by which this church is now known was renovated completely and re-dedicated in 1998 by Canon Thomas Murray P.P.
St. Mogue in his time, is credited with the building of the first church on Inch Island. A Roman document of 1416 shows that there is still a church on the island although a new church by that time had been built on the mainland. The new church, Templeport, was confiscated in 1590 and handed over to the state church of King James I in 1609. Since then it has been the property of the Church of Ireland. It has been renovated at least twice and had a particularly extensive upgrading or rebuilding in 1815 at a cost of £1500 which was a huge sum of money in those times. It is now called St. Peter's Church.
In 1588 the vicarage of Templeport had a valuation of £10. In inquisition (Elizabeth no.3) an acre was valued at one penny and a poll at one shilling. From this it appears that a poll of church land contained 12 acres (Irish measure). Earlier in the century and again during the Ulster Plantation, the poll equalled 50 acres or more. Templeport church land in 1588 is given as four polls and its valuation 4 shillings.
There are the ruins of a stone church still to be seen on St. Mogues Island (Inch). This church remained in use throughout the entire penal period. It was rebuilt several times. Professor Davies suggests that some of the stonework belongs to the 16th century. The McKiernan brothers, Francis and Paddy of Killymoriarty were proud to say that their family had attended Mass on the island throughout the penal period and later.
We do not know when Arderry Church, dimensions 54'x22'x8.5', was built, but tradition tells us that Fr. John Ward P.P., 1758-'95 rode his horse from Kilsob to Arderry Church to celebrate Mass. He was a relation of the Ward family of Kilsob and is buried on St. Mogue’s Island. Arderry Church remained in use for some years after the opening of Corlough Church about 1860. Corlough Church was built by Fr. Patrick Smith P.P. who lived at Springhill and who, later on, built Kilnavart Church. Rev. Patrick Maguire, a native of Kinawley succeeded Fr. Ward as P.P. of Templeport. It was he who built the Church of the Most Blessed Trinity in Kildoagh in 1796. Kildoagh is regarded as one of the best examples of a Barn Church in this country. It was closed in 1979 when the Church of St. Mogue was opened. A renovation scheme for the old barn church is expected in the near future.
The Workhouse Chapel has been referred to already. Fr. James McCabe, Adm. 1973 and P.P. in 1975 with Fr. Michael McManus C.C. 1975 took on the building of St. Mogue's new church in Bawnboy, which was dedicated and opened on 15th August 1979.
St Patrick's Church, Kilnavart, built 1866-'68, designed by William Hague.
(John O'Donovan named the townland Kilnavert.)
Belfrey and main enterance St Patrick's Kilnavart and graveyard.
St Peter's Church and graveyard.
The Templeport Chalice
The base is dated 1529 but the stem and cup belong to a later period.
View of St Peter's across the lake from Kildoagh.
Holy Trinity Church, Kildoagh
built 1796, closed 1979. One of the best examples of a barn church in ireland.
Digging the first sod, 1978.
Fr.James McCabe, P.P. digs the first sod of St Mogue's Church, Bawnboy, watched by parishoners.
St Mogue's Church, Bawnboy. A duty fulfiled.