Some Irish churches draw as many – or more – tourists as worshippers. Dublin’s Christchurch Cathedral, built by Strongbow, is an iconic landmark, and nearby St. Patrick’s Cathedral is Ireland’s largest church. Many beloved ancient ecclesiastic sites such as Glendalough in Wicklow, Fore Abbey in Westmeath, Clonmacnoise in Offaly and Mellifont in Louth feature church ruins. But Ireland is dotted with small village churches where ordinary people worship, marry, baptise their children and bury their dead. You might not see specific ones featured on Irish gifts, but they often do hold something very precious for visitors.
Glendalough 
Clonmacnoise 
Fore Abbey
These humble churches serve as both a hub for the community and an oasis of calm and peace. Stop by on a Sunday morning, and you are likely to see them packed to capacity with locals attending services. But if you go during a weekday, you might find the church open for quiet individual prayer. This is a lovely opportunity to admire the artistry of the building, its windows and artworks – and these are all often absolutely gorgeous.
Because life’s major events usually involved the local church, they are a treasure trove for anyone tracing their roots.
Religion and Records in Irish Churches
Local parishes have their own records of baptisms, marriages and deaths. It isn’t unusual for someone researching their Irish roots to hit a dead end with government records and then find the piece of information they need in a local parish office. These records can provide precious details such as who were the godparents for a baby. Irish government records since the formation of the Republic are excellent. But the further back you trace your roots, the more likely you are to need church records.
Many churches feature another form of record – gravestones. Irish graveyards are worth a visit just to see the incredible craftsmanship on display in the older grave markers. The ancient standing crosses inspired Celtic cross gravestones as well as so many beautiful Irish gifts.
Irish church records can be hit or miss. One parish might have excellent, detailed records available while another is more chaotic and incomplete. Slowly, more and more of these records are available online, but again this varies greatly by parish. If you are searching for details of your family through church records, you will need to know what religion your ancestors were and where they lived.
All of Ireland’s old churches have one thing in common regardless of their denomination. They have been a touchstone for families. Generations have celebrated, worshipped and mourned in them, surrounded by their community. Even the smallest of them have housed the largest emotions. Giddy couples have exchanged vows. Families have welcomed newly arrived babies to their faith and their community. Bereaved widows and widowers have shed tears among their loved ones.
Belleek Pottery 2022 Edition Piece Votive Irish Church
Irish gifts featuring cosy country churches are a lovely connection to the places where our ancestors marked life’s most significant milestones. No matter how small an Irish village is, for generations the community has forged an identity and sense of deep connection through the local church.