“Great Church” is what they called it. That is what Donaghmore means in Irish: Domhnach Mór. But it may also mean “Big Sunday”. Perhaps referring to people gathering to worship here each week. Let me tell you about this historic place.
St. Patrick himself visited Donaghmore in the 5th century. He established a church here. The Tripartite Life of St Patrick says he set up seven Episcopal churches near Slieve Gallion and Lough Neagh. St. Patrick converted the local people, the Fír Imchlair, at Donaghmore. He baptised them in the Torrent River. This church became Maigh Imchair.
St. Patrick left a priest named Colum Cruither in charge. He entrusted his book and bell to him. The bell became known as “The Bell of Clogher”. It survives today in the National Museum, Dublin.
The monastery’s location may have been a pagan sacred site. There is much evidence of earlier settlers in the area. These settlers date back many centuries.
Donaghmore Church developed into a monastic foundation. This was similar to monasteries throughout Ireland at the time. These monasteries were pivotal for education. They were pivotal for knowledge in Ireland. They attracted scholars from Ireland and Western Europe. This lasted until the 11th and 12th centuries.
Donaghmore Monastery was influential. Dermot O’Tierney of the Fir Imchlair became Abbot of Armagh around AD 834. This was a prestigious position.
In the taxation survey of AD 1291 by Pope Nicholas IV, Donaghmore was wealthy. It was influential with many costly shrines. It possessed up to 1300 acres of land. The High Cross in Donaghmore dates to the 10th Century. It was likely one of three crosses on the site.
As the monastic system ended in Ireland, monastic sites lost influence. By the early 1600s, maps show no sign of the monastery in Donaghmore. It was possibly destroyed by Jacobean forces. This destruction came after the Flight of the Earls in 1607.
Another Donaghmore is a 14th-century church. It was built on the site of earlier pre-Norman foundations. This Donaghmore is south of Ballyragget and east of the River Nore. According to William Carrigan’s History, the church and parish of Donaghmore belonged to the Abbey of St. Thomas in Dublin almost from its foundation in 1177. During the Reformation, the church was seized. It became a place for Protestant worship.
In 1731, Edward Tennison, the Church of Ireland Bishop of Ossory, visited Donaghmore. He found that the roof of the church and chancel were standing. However, the slating was decayed. It needed to be replaced. The slating never happened. The church finally closed in 1747. There are burials within the nave and chancel. The graveyard features attractive and unusual headstones.
Yet another Donaghmore, located outside Navan, was originally known as Domnach Mór. This also translates to “the Great Church.” The church here was a Patrician foundation, meaning it was associated with St. Patrick. It was entrusted to St. Cassanus.
Donaghmore near Navan is mentioned in the Book of Kells. A deed states that monks at Kells bought lands at Donaghmore for 20 ounces of gold. The deed is witnessed by Ó Dunan, Bishop of the northern half of Ireland. Also, present was the King of Tara and Ó Fiachiach, custodian of Donaghmore. This dates back before 1094.
Donaghmore was important throughout the ages. It was first inhabited by a celibate clergy. Gradually, it evolved into a community of married clergy and laymen called “mainig.” This early Christian monastery likely consisted of wooden huts. These huts were surrounded by a circular enclosure, with a stone church and round tower.
This Donaghmore survived until the tenth century. The round tower is typical of those built during the Viking Invasions. It stands 110 feet high. Its circumference is 66 feet at the base. It is built of undressed limestone.
The church was replaced in the 13th century. Anglo Norman settlers built a new and larger structure. Only the western end and belfry of this church remain. The graveyard contains interesting features. There is an early Christian Cross and headstones from the 18th century.
So, as you can see, Donaghmore is not just one place but a name echoing across Ireland. It is a testament to the enduring legacy of the church. It speaks to the rich history of this land.