Question: Ever wondered what secrets lie behind the Dublin Airport runway near St. Margaret’s Church?
St. Margaret’s Church boasts a history stretching back centuries. It offers a glimpse into Ireland’s past. Let’s step back in time. We will uncover the layers of this ancient site.
One of the earliest mentions of St. Margaret’s dates to 1182. Pope Lucius III confirmed the town of St. Margaret’s to the Archbishop of Dublin. This shows the early importance of this place.
Evidence suggests even earlier settlements existed here. A fulacht fiadh site hints at prehistoric activity. An early 18th-century church and graveyard add to the historical depth. Records show a church existed here from at least 1275 AD. It was called St. Margaret’s Chapel at Dunsoghly. It was also known as Dovemachenor or Donoughmore.
Nearby stands Dunsoghly Castle from the 15th century. It was once home to John Plunket. He served as Lord Chief Justice of Ireland. The Plunket family is closely linked to St. Margaret’s. A family member is said to have walled in St. Margaret’s Spa Well. This created a bath six feet long and three feet wide.
Today, the ruins of St. Margaret’s Church include a chantry chapel. Sir John Plunkett of Dunsoghly built it. He was Lord Chief Justice. The chapel stands attached to the southeastern side of the old church. Little remains of the original church. Sections of the east wall are still visible. Partial remains of the south, west, and north walls exist. Foundations of a tower mark the northwest corner.
The church is thought to date back to the 12th century. It was built on the site of an earlier structure. Judging by the foundations it was a sizable building. The church served the local community. It fell into ruin in the first half of the 17th century.
The graveyard contains two large mausoleums. One is attached to the chantry chapel’s southeast corner. It was built in the 19th century. The other mausoleum stands alone to the south. It was built in the 18th century for the Morgan family.
The chantry chapel has all four walls standing. The entrance door is an archway with decorative stonework. The graveyard has Celtic cross markers and table tombs.
St. Margaret’s Church and its surroundings offer a window into history. It connects us to the people and events of centuries past. It is a place of peace, a testament to time’s passage near Dublin Airport.