St Senan's Church, Inniscarra

St Senan's Church is a small Anglican Gothic Revival church located in Inniscarra, County Cork, Ireland. It is dedicated to Senán mac Geirrcinn, who is the patron saint of Inniscarra.[1]

St Senan's Church
Map
CountryIreland
DenominationChurch of Ireland
Websitecupcork.ie
Architecture
Architect(s)George Beale
StyleGothic Revival
Clergy
RectorRobert Ferris

Along with the Church of Saint Peter in Carrigrohane and the Church of the Resurrection in Blarney, it is part of the Carrigrohane Union of Parishes in the Diocese of Cork, Cloyne, and Ross.

History edit

 
The nearby ruin of the old St Senan's church

The church was built to replace an earlier church nearby.[2] This early church was built in the Early Georgian period, with a tower being added in 1756. It was abandoned after the construction of St Senan's, and is now a ruin. It sits on the site of a 6th-century church founded by St Senan.[3]

St Senan's was built in 1819, at a cost of IR£923.[2] The Board of First Fruits supplied the loan.[4] It replaced an older church nearby, the ruins of which are still standing. The bell from the original church, which dates back to the 17th century, currently hangs in the new building.[2]

Reverend George de la Poer Beresford was the first rector of the church. He was succeeded by his son, Reverend William Beresford, who was eventually stripped of his position by the Archbishop of Dublin and deported to Australia.[2]

The interior was refitted by William Henry Hill in 1873. A chancel, also designed by Hill, was added to the building between 1892[3] and 1893.[5]

In 1994, the 125-year-old organ from Christ Church, Magourney, was transferred to St Senan's after Christ Church was deconsecrated. The organ was restored to working order.[2]

In 2012, the church was extended to include what is referred to as "the Glade".[6]

Robert Ferris became the rector of the parish in 2020, having been Associate Minister there for eight years prior to his promotion.[7][8]

Architecture edit

St Senan's was designed by George Beale,[3] and is built in the Gothic Revival style.[4]

 
A view of the tower of the church and the 2012 extension.

References edit

Notes edit

  1. ^ Ó Liatháin, Conchobhar. "Local Patron Saint". Dúchas. Retrieved 24 September 2021.
  2. ^ a b c d e Wood 2014.
  3. ^ a b c Keohane 2020, p. 440.
  4. ^ a b "St Senan's Church of Ireland Church, CARRIGYKNAVEEN, Inniscarra, CORK". NIAH. 15 June 2009. Retrieved 24 September 2021.
  5. ^ St Leger 2013, p. 365.
  6. ^ "Locations". Carrigrohane Union of Parishes. Retrieved 5 October 2021.
  7. ^ "Our Team". CUP Cork. Archived from the original on 24 September 2021. Retrieved 24 September 2021.
  8. ^ "Robert Ferris". Cork Anglican. Archived from the original on 24 September 2021. Retrieved 24 September 2021.

Sources edit

  • Keohane, Frank (2020). The Buildings of Ireland: Cork City and County. New Haven and London: Yale University Press. p. 440. ISBN 978-0-300-22487-0.
  • St Leger, Dr. Alicia (2013). "The Province of Dublin: Cork, Cloyne and Ross". In McAuley, Alicia; Costecalde, Dr. Claude; Walker, Prof. Brian (eds.). The Church of Ireland: An illustrated history. Dublin: Booklink. p. 365. ISBN 978-1-906886-56-1.
  • Wood, Richard (2014). "St Senan's Church Inniscarra". Inniscarra. Archived from the original on 24 September 2021. Retrieved 24 September 2021.