Conwall Church of Ireland Parish Church

This plain and utilitarian but appealing Church of Ireland church retains much of its early form and character despite some alterations and modifications. This church dates to a number of distinct periods: the original church and tower was built or rebuilt in c. 1776; the spire and cut stone parapet to the tower was added in 1832, and the elaborate triple gable-fronted aisle to the south was added in 1865. Further works were carried out to the interior in 1814 (works to interior, details unknown, perhaps replacement of roof). The pointed-arched openings lend it the bare minimum of a Gothic Revival character that is typical of its type and date. The plain rubble stone and roughcast rendered rubble stone elevations of the original church are enlivened by the simple cut stone surrounds to the openings. This Church of Ireland church was originally built c. 1776 as a simple three-bay hall with plain three stage tower to the west end, a layout which is typical of the standard three-bay hall and tower church that were built in large numbers, particularly between 1808-1830, using loans and grants from the Board of First Fruits (1722-1833). This church may incorporate the fabric of an earlier Church of Ireland church to site that was in existence in 1636 (DG053-043001-). The fine ashlar spire and the cut stone parapet were added in 1832; these may be the recent works costing ‘£273’ that are mention in Lewis Topographical Dictionary of 1837. Spires of this type are a feature found in many Church of Ireland churches in the larger towns, mainly to give them a greater presence in the streetscape. The elaborate triple gable-fronted aisle to the south was added in 1865 to designs by Welland and Gillespie, the architects of the Ecclesiastical Commissioners from 1860. The contractor involved in these 1865 works was W. McClelland. This element of the building is distinguished by the fine plate tracery to the windows and the crisp squared and coursed limestone masonry used in its construction, which contrasts with the more plain masonry and structure of the earlier church. This expansion to the church reflects the population growth that occurred in Letterkenny throughout the nineteenth century. The interior (not viewed) is notable for the timber choir gallery to west end, cast-iron roof trusses (possibly added as part of 1814 works) , the arcade to the south aisle supported on cut sandstone pillars, and the organ and twisted brass light brackets that were apparently added in 1889. The graveyard (see 40501199) contains a collection of mainly upstanding gravemarkers, some of which are of modest artistic merit, and a number with wrought-iron and\or cast-iron railed enclosures that add some additional interest. The earliest of these markers dates to the seventeenth century and were originally associated with the original church to site (RMP DG053-043001- for church; DG053-043002- for graveyard; DG053-043003- for graveslab c. 1636). Located to the north-west of the centre of Letterkenny, this church is an integral element to the built heritage and social history of the local area, and forms part of an interesting collection of churches and associated structures in this part of the town. The simple boundary walls and gateways to site add to the setting and context. The boundary walls were apparently rebuilt in 1895 around the same time St. Eunan’s Catholic Cathedral adjacent was being constructed, an edifice that dwarfs this earlier church in terms of scale and detailing.