Narraghmore: Churches, Architecture and Village History

Narraghmore draws attention to religious architectural history, distinctive village architecture and traditions spanning several centuries. The Church of the Holy Saviour, the former dispensary and local memorial sites each offer a different perspective. If you are looking for hotels in Narraghmore, you can use these themes to help plan your trip.

Churches and Architectural History

The Church of the Holy Saviour is a Gothic Revival estate chapel or private chapel, built between 1860 and 1863. Funded for the local Protestant community, it has considerable social and historical significance. It is also considered a successful example of the decorative use of the Gothic Revival style. Set back from the road on its own grounds, the church serves as the parish church of the Church of Ireland. The grounds contain carved tombstones from various periods, which are considered to have artistic value.

The former Narraghmore Dispensary offers a different architectural character: the building, erected around 1900, is designed in the Tudor style. A prominent central building in the village, it is considered a local landmark. Features attributed to it include a decorative door surround, timber sash windows and a slate roof. Comparing it with the Gothic Revival chapel highlights two distinct architectural styles in the village landscape without suggesting that they date from the same period.

Traditions and Local History

The chapel’s history also extends beyond the construction period of the Church of the Holy Saviour: a chapel was built in Narraghmore, and traces of it have survived. Local tradition links the founding of the village to St Patrick. The parish history records that in 1649, Cromwell’s army destroyed the chapel of Narraghmore with a cannon.

Other events place local history in times of upheaval. In 1798, the courthouse in Narraghmore was attacked by local members of the United Irishmen. Also during the 1798 Rebellion, a battle took place at Pike Bridge, near Narraghmore. Only the gate of Narraghmore House remains. These memorial sites and traditions provide several points of reference for local history, from religious traces to the political conflicts of the late 18th century.

Crookstown in the Narraghmore Area

The nearby Ss Mary and Laurence Church is in Crookstown, outside the village of Narraghmore. It is the parish church of the parish of Narraghmore, an impressive religious centre in the Hiberno-Romanesque style and of social interest to the surrounding region. The churchyard contains tombstones from various periods that have artistic significance. This adds an explicitly separate point of reference in Crookstown to the local history of churches and churchyards.

More Destinations in County Kildare

Beyond Narraghmore, the wider destination of County Kildare offers its own historical and landscape attractions. Castletown House is in Celbridge, in an 18th-century parkland setting on the banks of the Liffey. The house contains a significant collection of paintings, furnishings and art objects. The parklands are open year-round from 07:00 to 22:00; check visitor information again before your trip.

At Donadea Forest Park in County Kildare, the Lake Walk is another option: the circular route is 0.8 kilometres long, takes about 30 minutes and is accessible to everyone. There are also three permanent orienteering courses, measuring 1.8 kilometres, 3.4 kilometres and 4.6 kilometres. These details give different route lengths and time frames; they refer to Donadea Forest Park, not Narraghmore.

Discover more destinations: Ballymore Eustace, Calverstown, Kildare, Leixlip, Naas, Clane, Prosperous, Johnstown.

To the wider travel overview: County Kildare.