All Saints Church of Ireland Church

This plain but appealing Church of Ireland church retains its early form and character. It also retains much of its early fabric including quarry glazed windows with Timber Y-tracery, while the pointed-arch openings lend this building a muted Gothic theme. The cut stone detailing to the openings to the later apsidal chancel adds some artistic interest and are clearly the work of skilled masons. The stone construction to this chancel contrasts attractively with the earlier nave with its plain roughcast elevations and simple window openings. The form of this church conforms to typical Board of First Fruits (1711 - 1833) hall and tower form that can be found in great numbers throughout the Irish countryside. This church was originally built as a simple hall-type chapel of ease to the church at Taughboyne, and it was originally consecrated in 1722 although it was apparently not opened until 1728. The stocky rubble stone tower with cut stone stringcourses and corner pinnacles was added in 1808; a cut stone plaque to the tower records that was built by William Forward, later third Earl of Wicklow, of nearby Castleforward\Castle Forward (now demolished). This tower is a local landmark, marking the east end of the straggling town of Newtowncunningham. The cut stone surround to the doorway, and the roundel openings at second stage level (possibly originally clock faces), add some decorative interest to this tower. It is likely that the cast-iron quarry-glazed windows to the nave were added at this time also (1808). The interior was refitted in 1846 to designs by Joseph Welland (1798-1860), architect to the Board of First Fruits and subsequently to the Ecclesiastical Commissioners where he had sole responsibility for all Church of Ireland building projects from 1843. This 1846 refitting involved the installation of new seating and the probable addition of the vestry. The well-detailed apsidal chancel with cut stone surrounds, intricate curvilinear\flowing cut stone tracery to the central window, and stained glass windows, was added in 1896 (although some records date this addition to 1910, although appears to be depicted on Ordnance Survey twenty-five inch map of c. 1900). The simple interior is notable for the hammerbeam roof, the ashlar chancel arch, the colourful encaustic tiled roof, and the elaborate marble pulpit with carved detail if relief. The interior also contains an interesting collection of classical wall memorials, a number commemorating the Forward family (Earls of Wicklow) of nearby Castleforward\Castle Forward (now demolished). The earliest of these (form of a cupid’s head with oval plaque over) is to William Forward (died 1770), and was carved by Richard Kelly of Dublin. Others memorials to the Forward family include an elegant monument in the form of a Tuscan aedicule (Eleanor Forward, d. 1807), a plaque with carved coat of arms (Second Earl of Wicklow, d. 1815). The entrance to the site is marked by a charming timber lych gate with natural slate roof over. This feature was added in 1920 and is dedicated to the memory of the Revd. A. G. Stuart of nearby Bogay House. Lychgates are unusual features in Ireland but are commonly found in late Medieval church sites in England. Lychgates have a symbolic function as the (covered) point where coffins were traditionally met by a clergyman on entrance to the churchyard, and the word 'lych' has its origins in Old English and means 'corpse'. This feature adds significantly to the setting of this church, and is an important element of the built heritage of Newtowncunningham in its own rights. This church building forms part of a group of related structures along with the possible former rectory to the north (see 40824002). The graveyard to site contains a collection of mainly nineteenth century gravemarkers, some of modest artistic interest; this graveyard to site completes the setting of this church, which is an integral element of the architectural heritage and social history of the local area.