St Mary’s Collegiate Church is a large Anglican church in Youghal, County Cork, Ireland. This church is not only the largest and most important medieval building in the town, but also the oldest church in Ireland still in continuous use. It has been a place of Christian worship for over 1,300 years. It is also a national monument of Ireland and a tourist attraction like no other.

St Mary’s Collegiate Church was built in 1220 by Meiler de Bermingham, who also founded the Dominican Priory in Youghal. The church was originally a simple cruciform structure, but it was enlarged and embellished over the centuries. It has a 13th century oak roof structure, a 14th century tower, a 15th century nave, a 16th century chancel, and a 17th century transept. It also has a 19th century spire, which replaced an earlier one that was destroyed by lightning.

Some of the notable features of the church include:

The 13th century oak roof structure, which is one of the oldest and finest in Ireland
The 15th century choir stalls, which are carved with intricate designs and symbols
The 16th century tomb of Richard Boyle, the first Earl of Cork, and his family, which is the largest and most elaborate in the church
The 17th century alabaster monument of Sir Walter Raleigh and his son, which is located in the south transept
The 18th century organ, which is the oldest working organ in Ireland.
The church witnessed many historic events and eras, such as the Norman invasion, the Reformation, the Cromwellian conquest, the Penal Laws, and the Irish Rebellion of 1798. The church survived fires, sieges, plundering, and vandalism, and remained a place of worship and refuge for the people of Youghal.

It also hosted many historic figures, such as Sir Walter Raleigh, who was the mayor of Youghal in 1588 and 1589, and Sir Richard Boyle, the first Earl of Cork, who was buried in the church in 1643. The church has many fascinating plaques and effigies, such as the Boyle Monument, the Raleigh Tomb, and the Power Tomb.

in the old wall of Youghal, you will see an EERILY coffin shaped niche. this was used during famine times to house coffins used to bury the poor and to reuse as needed. I go inside but I didn't stay long.


link to video of inside church
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