Churchs and abbeys

Shrule parish church  ::  St.Joseph’s

The church was built in the early 19th century , probably the 1820’s . There were 300 children confirmed there in September 1830 so
it was built before this date .

The church was built due to Mrs Mary Kirwan of Dalgan Park who also furnished it except for the altar . Mary was Edmund Burkes daughter who married Patrick Kirwan Esq a protestant . Their daughter Julia married Thomas Barnwell Martin who owned a carpentry business in Shrule and who donated the altar for Shrule church. Mrs Kirwan died on 31 Dec 1836 and was laid in state in her church (and then buried in Shrule cemetary ).

In Fr Feeneys time (1938-9) the church was extended , a new roof provided and the old tower demolished. It was rededicated by the bishop (Dr. Michael Brown ) in November 1939.

Mention from Lewis’ Topographical Dictionary in 1837 reads :

In the R. C. divisions the parish is in the diocese of Galway, and is co-extensive with that of the Established Church : the chapel is a neat edifice in the ancient English style, with a square tower, towards the erection of which £1300. was contributed by Mr. Kirwan, of Dalgan Park, who also gave the ground.: it has a handsome marble altar-piece, presented by T. Martin, Esq.

St. Colmans (Graveyard)

The building of Shrule Castle, as of this Church, is attributed to the Burkes.

The image to the right is an overview of the site the numbers indicate the sections for gravestone inscriptions .

Site of an old abbey. Near the N.E. corner of the church is a large stone called Cruckvahina, or the Blessed Stone. (Clock Bheannuighthe,the blessed stone).

Glencorrib

Church of the Immaculate Conception, Glencorrib, Shrule, Co. Mayo