Country Ireland | Denomination Church of Ireland | |
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Location Rathmore, Athboy, County Meath Previous denomination Pre-Reformation Catholic Founder(s) Thomas Fitz-Christopher Plunket Dedication Lorcán Ua Tuathail (St Lawrence) | ||
Rathmore Church is a ruined medieval church and National Monument in County Meath, Ireland. It was constructed by the prominent Plunkett living nearby at Rathmore Castle. A modern church 0.5 km to the north-east serving the area was constructed in 1844. Archer and Smith describe it as similar in purpose to other churches constructed at Killeen and Dunsany.
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Location
Rathmore Church is located 3.5 km (2.2 mi) northeast of Athboy, to the west of Jamestown Bog.
History
Thomas Fitz-Christopher Plunket was a lawyer and judge of the mid-15th century, serving as Lord Chief Justice of Ireland in 1461 and 1463. He was married to Marion Cruise (Mary Anne Cruys) and died in 1471; the couple are buried together at Rathmore, Marion's hereditary seat.
The baptismal font was stolen in April 2013 but recovered in May of that year.
Church
Rathmore Church is a nave and chancel church with a three-storey sacristy and a tall bell tower. Features include a piscina, sedilia, carved heads and labyrinth stone. The effigy of Thomas Fitz-Christopher Plunket is in good condition; he wears armour and a dog sleeps at his feet. Marion's is badly damaged.