Location – In the small town of Freshford on the R693.
OS: S 40709 64762.
Longitude: -7.3980220
Latitude: 52. 732691
Description and History – While St. Lachtain’s is in interesting multi-phase structure this will primarily focus on the 12th century Romanesque doorway. A monastic church was founded at the site in the late 6th or early 7th century by St. Lachtain, although no structures remain from this period. The present church contains elements possibly pre-1050 in date on its west gable, and the rest was largely rebuilt in the 18th and 19th century and still serves as a functioning Church of Ireland church today. It is also possible that some of the later rebuilding work reuses earlier stone, and some stones appear to be radial and may be from a now-demolished round tower. However, later inserted into the mid-11th century west gable is a fine Romanesque doorway which O’Keeffe has dated to somewhere been 1140 and 1150, favouring the latter end of that decade. Constructed of sandstone and some 3m wide, the doorway is multi-ordered and forms a porch into the church. The Romanesque oculus above the doorway is later inserted and likely 19th century in date.
One of the more interesting aspects of the church are the inscriptions on the inner order. The first reads, “A prayer for Gilla Mocholmoc O Cenncucain who made this.” The second reads, “A prayer for Niam, daughter of Corc, and for Mathgamain O Ciarmeic, under whose auspices this church was build.” Translation by O’Keeffe in Romanesque Ireland. It is unknown, however, who these people were.
On the inside order are niches for sculpture, one of which has survived and shows two figures. This would have been carved separately and slotted into place. The two middle orders contain scalloped capitals and the archways are decorated with saw-tooth chevron on the intrados and archivolt. The capital on the south side of the outer order appears to show a stylised lion, while the corresponding capital on the north side shows something similar, but is much more weathered. Above the arch, but below the rising pediment are two carved panels, with one showing an ecclesiastic, and the other a figure on a horse. The face on the keystone of the arch could possibly be a representation of Christ. O’Keeffe has noted similarities with both Killeshin in Laois, and Cormac’s Chapel in Tipperary. The former being later in date and the latter being earlier.
The porch is a fine example of the Romanesque style that flourished in Ireland in the early 12th century and considering the amount of remodelling that has been carried out at St. Lachtain’s church we are probably lucky that the door has survived in such good condition. It is well worth the trip to Freshford just to see this porch.
Difficulty – Easy to find and to get to as it’s a still a functioning church. Be careful as it’s right on the side of the road on a dangerous bend.
Date of Visit: 17th July, 2024.
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