Kilrush Church, also called St. Munchin's Church, is a medieval church and a National Monument in Limerick City, Ireland.
Kilrush Church | |||||||||
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Old Church · St. Munchin’s · St. Mainchin’s Church | |||||||||
Cill Rois | |||||||||
Kilrush Church | |||||||||
52°39′39″N 8°39′18″W / 52.660838°N 8.655120°W | |||||||||
Location | Old Church Road, Limerick, County Limerick | ||||||||
Country | Ireland | ||||||||
Denomination | Catholic (pre-Reformation) | ||||||||
History | |||||||||
Dedication | Mainchín of Limerick | ||||||||
Architecture | |||||||||
Functional status | inactive | ||||||||
Style | Celtic | ||||||||
Years built | 10th century AD? | ||||||||
Specifications | |||||||||
Length | 9 m (30 ft) | ||||||||
Width | 5.5 m (18 ft) | ||||||||
Number of floors | 1 | ||||||||
Floor area | 50 m2 (540 sq ft) | ||||||||
Materials | stone, mortar | ||||||||
Administration | |||||||||
Diocese | Limerick | ||||||||
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The church is located 2 kilometres (1.2 mi) west of the city centre, on the north bank of the River Shannon.[1]
The church was built some time in the 10th century, and first appears in records of 1201;[2] it is believed to be oldest building in the city.[3] The window in the south wall is 15th century, from a nearby Franciscan church.[4][5] It is dedicated to Mainchín mac Setnai, a saint of the late 6th century. It was excavated in 1999; approximately 40 bodies were found buried beneath the Quinlivan window, dating to the 16th or 17th century.[6][7]
Based on its large stone blocks and lintel, the church is placed to the pre-Norman period. It is rectangular.[9]