Most romantic Catholic church in Ireland?

Dostoevsky

It would be handy if we could put all our knowledge and views on this subject into a single thread so let me begin. As it stands we're all probably going over the same ground so we might as well pass on our knowledge.

While out wandering around the wilds of Clare yesterday I happened upon a serious contender for this position, Cratloe Church.

It must be one of the oldest Catholic churches in continuous use in Ireland, having been built in 1791, when the worst of the Penal Laws against Catholicism were being removed. It's tucked away down a lane up in the village of Cratloe.

Here's what a Google images search produces:Cratoe Church, Co Clare (it looks even more gorgeous in the snow)

What a gem. It actually belongs to a style of church building from Penal times known as 'barn churches", of which only three remain in Ireland today. Inside the ceiling is almost entirely timber. The priest can say mass in the Irish so we're seriously thinking of moving our wedding venue to use this church now.

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What church or churches would you propose as the most romantic Catholic church in Ireland?

Clare Bear

My sister got married in the church in Gougane Barra in Cork, I still haven't seen a church that tops it. Out in the middle of nowhere in such a beautiful location, photos don't do it justice. If I was getting married at home I'd chose it in a heartbeat.

mollybird

Clare Bear wrote: »

My sister got married in the church in Gougane Barra in Cork, I still haven't seen a church that tops it. Out in the middle of nowhere in such a beautiful location, photos don't do it justice. If I was getting married at home I'd chose it in a heartbeat.

a thousand yes's to that clarebear. i looked at it last week with my maid of honour but found the aisle was far too small for my father to walk me up. also the hotel beside it was a disastour:(

Bride2012

Rathbarry church in West Cork (near Clonakilty) is beautiful and it has steps down at the back that would make a fantastic group shot. There are loads of great venues in the area too like Inchydoney and the Rectory..

http://rectory.ie/index.php/gallery/79-rectory-photo-a-images/666-st-micheals-catholic-church-rathbarry-west-cork

manta356

Dunlewey Church at the foot of Errigal,Co. Donegal

Bride2012

manta356 wrote: »

Dunlewey Church at the foot of Errigal,Co. Donegal

WOW!!!

ABajaninCork

manta356 wrote: »

Dunlewey Church at the foot of Errigal,Co. Donegal

WOW!!! Just WOW....

It's even prettier than Gougan Barra - and I thought that was pretty spectacular!!!

manta356

Bride2012 wrote: »

WOW!!!

Another shot

b743k

manta356 wrote: »

Another shot

If it was about 200 miles further south I'd be sold for mine. It's amazing!

honeybear

mollybird wrote: »

a thousand yes's to that clarebear. i looked at it last week with my maid of honour but found the aisle was far too small for my father to walk me up. also the hotel beside it was a disastour:(

Brother got married here and it was amazing. Would suggest staying the night before in the hotel beside the church-a couple of us travelled on the morning and the journey was a killer. Cratloe is lovely too (we sat in the gallery for another wedding and loved it)

houseplant

Its gotta be Ballintubber Abbey in Co. Mayo, was there last year for a wedding and the place is amazing!

Clare Bear

houseplant wrote: »

Its gotta be Ballintubber Abbey in Co. Mayo, was there last year for a wedding and the place is amazing!

Where Pierce Brosnan got married. I was at a christening there years ago, it's beautiful inside.

byhookorbycrook

Holy Cross in Tipperary.

We got married in Fossa, outside Killarney,there is a huge clear glass window behind the altar looking out on the lakes and mountains.Best thing for me was a short aisle, would hate to have to traipse the length of the cathedral!

houseplant

Clare Bear wrote: »

houseplant wrote: »

Its gotta be Ballintubber Abbey in Co. Mayo, was there last year for a wedding and the place is amazing!

Where Pierce Brosnan got married. I was at a christening there years ago, it's beautiful inside.

Yup, that's the one. Ya inside is lovely but the grounds are something else. There's a small waterfall there too.

iguana

I've deleted a number of posts on this thread which were off topic. Please keep it to the subject at hand.

harry21

byhookorbycrook wrote: »

Holy Cross in Tipperary.

We got married in Fossa, outside Killarney,there is a huge clear glass window behind the altar looking out on the lakes and mountains.Best thing for me was a short aisle, would hate to have to traipse the length of the cathedral!

I think we have decided on Fossa too. Any Tips?

Dostoevsky

Meelick Catholic church in east Galway looks stunning in these photos. I'd say the acoustics are something else with the internal stone walls. I've never been there but it also claims to be one the oldest Catholic churches in continuous use in Ireland, dating to 1414 AD.

Meelick Church (1414 AD)

Dostoevsky

Franciscan Friary, Multyfarnham, Co. Westmeath. It's a late medieval (1268AD) friary with a very important place in Irish history. The acoustics are superb, while the windows represent, in Irish, the local Irish legend of the Children of Lir (Lake Dervarragh is next to the monastery). Inside there are memorials in Irish, Latin and English to people who have been interred there since the middle ages.

For those of you into a wedding venue exuding Irish history and the Irish language, it might be a good choice. There is also a large outdoor garden area for photos.