Skip to content

Heritage Ireland

Rahan Churches

Originally a monastic site first founded by Saint Camelacus

Unguided sites

Rahan Demesne
Offaly

Rahan Churches

Originally a monastic site first founded by Saint Camelacus

Unguided sites

Rahan Demesne
Offaly

Notice

Rahan Churches are state-owned National Monuments in the care of the Office of Public Works

*Please be aware there are sometimes livestock in the field surrounding this monument*

WARNING: It should be noted that these sites are unguided and a level of care and caution should be maintained during all stages of your visit. The Office Of Public Works (OPW) will not be held responsible for any damages, injuries, or losses that occur

Rahan Churches

Rahan monastic site was first established by St. Camelacus in the 5th century and re-established by St. Carthach in the 6th century. The monastic site presently consists of two churches, a graveyard, a probable tower house, and an enclosure. The church in the graveyard is known as St Carthach’s church. The church dates to the 12th century and shows constant phases of rebuilding. The nave was rebuilt in 1732, along with general repairs for use by the Church of Ireland community. In the interior fine examples of architectural details are on show. including a triple ordered chancel arch, an original Romanesque circular window in the east gable and decorated capitals.

To the east of St. Carthach’s church stands the remains of a rectangular roofless church, roughly 12m long and 7m wide. It has a fine Romanesque single ordered door, thought to be originally from St. Carthach’s church. The terminals feature heads of beasts. This 15th/16th century church has a rounded arched window in its south wall, rectangular slit window over the doorway, and a late medieval single light ogee windows in the south and east gables. The possible tower house shows traces of a barrel vault. Within the graveyard a grave slab was found to have a late medieval floriated decoration. The graveyard is used by both Protestants and Catholics with many burials unmarked, particularly around the south side of St Carthach’s.

Visit Historic Environment Viewer for more information on Rahan Church

Protect our Past - Click here to read about the importance of protecting our country’s unique heritage sites

This national monument is protected in accordance with the National Monuments Acts 1930 to 2014

Nearby sites to visit

Heritage Card

Unlimited access to Ireland’s past

Buy one today

Join our mailing list

Are you happy to receive marketing material via email from Heritage Ireland

Subscribe