St Assam’s Church

Clutching ancient secrets, St Assam’s Church stands as a testament to Raheny’s rich history. This isn’t just a pile of stones. It’s a portal to a time when Raheny was known as “Rath Enna,” ruled by a chieftain named Enna. The church and graveyard rest on what appears to be a raised mound, possibly the very site of Enna’s ancient fort. St Assam’s Church, as we see it now, was rebuilt in 1712, a dedication stone in the wall confirming it stands on the site of an even older church dedicated to St. Assam. This older church is mentioned as early as 1609, hinting at an even earlier structure, perhaps of wood. Imagine Raheny’s importance in the Battle of Clontarf. In 1040, Sitric, the Danish King of Dublin, gifted lands at Raheny to the first Bishop of Dublin. Later, after the Norman invasion, these lands were allocated to John de Courcey, who set out from Raheny in 1177 to conquer Ulster. St Assam, the church’s namesake, is believed to have been a disciple of St. Patrick, adding another layer of historical intrigue to this sacred place. The existing ruins, the gable end and some low wall remnants, whisper tales of centuries past. The surrounding graveyard, with its weathered and unreadable headstones, holds the secrets of generations who rested here. One curious tale involves a man named John Lonergan, sentenced to death in 1781 for poisoning his employer. He bribed his executioner to fake his death, his coffin filled with stones and buried here while he escaped to America. St Assam’s Church, while in ruins, continues to hold the memories and echoes of Raheny’s vibrant past.