Rahan Churches

Map reference: N260255 (2260, 2255)

St Carthcach founded a monastery at Rahan about 580. It was refounded about 760 and flourished until the 12th century. Two early churches remain on the site. The eastern, roofless church was probably rebuilt in the 15th century. It is a simple rectangular structure with a finely carved W doorway. This is a single order Romanesque arch with chevron decoration. There is a raised hood mould with beasts as stops. The capitals of the pillars are carved with foliage. The E window has a cusped ogee head with some decoration. It is surmounted by a square hood mould with a small carved mask. The S wall has a small window with a round head and another with an ogee head. This latter has some carving including a beast.

The western church was begun in the 12th century but much of the present building dates from the 18th century. In the N wall is a small window with a cusped ogee head and a cruciform surround. It has several decorations including a griffin, a hawk and possibly a wyvern. In the E wall is a round window with chevron decoration and a quatrefoil insert. Beneath it is a large round-headed window which is probably a copy of the W doorway of the small eastern church. Everything is overgrown with ivy and bramble. The church and churchyard appear to be unused.





The west doorway of the East Church



The E window of the east church



The N window of the west church











For details of other Decorated Romanesque Doorways & Arches click on the links below

Kilmore Cathedral, Co Cavan Dysert O’Dea, Co Clare Killaloe Cathedral, Co Clare White Island, Co Fermanagh Annaghdown Cathedral, Co Galway Clonfert, Co Galway Tuam Cathedral, Co Galway Aghadoe, Co Kerry Ardfert Cathedral, Co Kerry Kilmalkedar, Co Kerry Castledermott, Co Kildare Kildare Cathedral, Co Kildare Freshford, Co Kilkenny Ullard, Co Kilkenny Killeshin, Co Laois Timahoe, Co Laois The Nun's Church, Clonmacnois, Co Offaly Cashel, Co Tipperary Donaghmore, Co Tipperary Kilcash, Co Tipperary Monaincha, Co Tipperary Roscrea, Co Tipperary St Saviour’s Priory, Glendalough, Co Wicklow