Tullow Church

Could a church have two Saint Brigids in its past? We’re standing before Tullow Church, a place with a history as layered as its granite walls. Tullow Church, located on Brighton Road in Carrickmines, serves about 200 families. It’s a short walk from both Foxrock and Cornelscourt villages. But the story of Tullow Church begins much earlier, with a ruined church dating back to the late 12th century. This ruin, known as Tully Church, is about a mile away near Brennanstown Road. It’s believed to have been founded by a Saint Brigid, though scholars argue it wasn’t the famous Brigid of Kildare, but another saint with the same name. Tullow Church itself was built much later. The current building started in the 1860s. It was a response to the growing population in the Foxrock area, fueled by the arrival of the railway. The original church, consecrated in 1864, was a simple granite rectangle. It was extended significantly in the early 1900s, becoming the transepts of the current cruciform structure. During the construction, services were temporarily held in a room provided by the Read family at Craigholm, a testament to the community spirit surrounding Tullow Church. Inside the church, you’ll find stained glass by Beatrice Elvery of An Túr Gloine, a renowned Dublin stained glass cooperative, and a vibrant “North Window” by Catherine O’Brien. The organ, installed in 1929, replaced an earlier organ and, even earlier, a humble harmonium. The church grounds also include a rectory, built in 1890, and a modern church hall that replaced one from 1910. A memorial garden offers a tranquil space for reflection. So, as you look at Tullow Church, remember the layers of history within its stones, from the ancient ruins of Tully Church to the modern additions, all whispering tales of faith, community, and growth.