|
Laughanstown Two stone crosses and Tully church Tully church and crosses situated in Laughanstown have always had an association with St Bridget who died in 523 AD. In the field opposite the church is a tall slender cross, pictured above, thought to be of the 12th/13th century. The east face of the cross bears an ecclesiastic figure that to me looks like a bishop but some think it may be a female figure and believe it to be of St Bridget, but due to weathering it is impossible to tell. The west face bears a head/mask, shown right this side is also badly weathered. Access is over a wooden stile on the west side of the road.
The first cross you see as you approach the church is the small plain ringed cross pictured below right. This cross was saved from destruction by James Grehan in the later part of the nineteenth century. The road next to the cross was being lowered and James Grehan had this small wall built and the cross placed upon it at it's original height. |
|
|
|
 |
The date of the church at Tully is unknown, but it may be from the ninth century or earlier and is thought to be of Danish origin. The unusually larger chancel was added to the nave during the early 13th century and has a rounded arch and two rounded headed east windows. Tully was granted to the Priory of the Holy Trinity in 1179 and after the mid 17th century was no longer in use.
|
|
|
Situated: In Dublin, take the M50 southbound then take exit 15 (Cornelscourt), then take a left for Cornelscourt and drive up the the traffic lights, take a right here, Brennanstown Road and drive down till you see a sign for Tully Church and crosses, turn right (Lehaunestown Road) and go down till you see the church on your left, park here. Discovery Map 50 O 2471 2345. Last visit Nov 2006. Longitude: 6° 9' 13" W Latitude: 53° 14' 50" N Photos: Jim Dempsey. |
 |
