Cahir

St Mary's medieval parish Church

The medieval parish Church is a multi-period building. Some of the structure is possibly 13th century, but the Church was extensively rebuilt in the 15th/16th century. It consists of a long rectangular nave and chancel, divided by a chancel arch. A four light, 15th/16th century, mullioned window replaced an earlier window in the east gable. These windows bear interlace patterns, on the exterior, similar to the 15th century windows at Cahir Abbey. The west gable now carries a double bell cote. A blocked doorway in the south wall may have been the original entrance. The Church was used for both Catholic and Protestant worship, they were separated by a curtain wall, between the nave and chancel. The Church was in use up until 1820.

Other features to look our are the single piscina, shown below left, and the human head carved on a corbel stone. This head is similar to those carved on the 15th century windows at Cahir Abbey. The graveyard was used for both Catholic and Protestant burials during the 18th and 19th centuries, and include a number military burials, due to the Barracks at nearby Kilcommon. Interestingly a number of architectural fragments were reused as grave markers.