St. Bigseach church, Kilbixy (North-East side)
Walking up the gravelled pathway this is the first glimpse of the church as the path meanders by the old trees, curves around the headstones and past the mausoleum to the West door. Being out in the countryside, away from busy roads and built-up areas, the scenery here is so peaceful and tranquil.
The Anglican church of St. Bigseach at Kilbixy, Westmeath was built c.1798 at the bequest of Richard Malone (Lord Sunderlin). A fine example of early Gothic revivalism with it’s high arched windows, arched niches and stone-carved finials atop of the supporting pillars, it is believed to have been designed by Francis Johnston. The bell tower is still complete but no longer in use as the wooden structural components are quite fragile and in need of restoration. St. Bigseach may be on the site of a medieval church but nothing remains of this earlier building. On display inside, there is a fragment of a local medieval grave slabstone showing a finely carved cross that dates to the 12th century or earlier.
There are a number of similar gothic-revival churches of this type in Westmeath but unfortunately, most have been disused a long time ago and fallen into ruin. Many of these were built during the late 18th and early 19th centuries with funds from the Irish Board of First Fruits ( books.google.ie/books?id=ishbrAfJ3SMC&pg=PA34&lpg... of fruits ireland&f=false ). Thankfully, St. Bigseach is still attended by a small Church of Ireland community of about 22 people for service there on Sundays.
The building itself suffered a disaster in the late 1960’s when most of the roof collapsed in, no one was hurt in the incident. The cause of this had never been confirmed but may have been due to long-term decay of it’s wooden supports. Due to the small size of the remaining congregation and insufficient funds, the East end of the church was refurbished but to only a third of it's previous size and continues in use. The remaining uncovered section of nave serves as an entrance courtyard and this works quite well, giving it a wonderfully intimate and cosy feel. The original internal fixtures and fitting were retained in the Eastern section but unfortunately the magnificently decorated Victorian cast-iron radiator and 19th century organ loft have gone.
The windows are of Georgian plain cross-hatched glazing with many of it’s original panes in-situ but unfortunately, occasional vandalism over the years has taken it’s toll and replacements with modern glass panes just don’t blend in. The magnificent East window behind the alter was rescued from another Westmeath Anglican church ( www.flickr.com/photos/23885771@N03/3603464020/in/set-7215... ). There is also a magnificent carved oak (?) lectern ( www.flickr.com/photos/23885771@N03/3602648939/in/set-7215... ), a historical display of photographs showing previous Ministers and the church as it was looked before.
St. Bigseach church is set in beautifully landscaped grounds surrounded by well kept graves. The grounds include the Malone mausoleum ( www.flickr.com/photos/23885771@N03/3602651247/in/set-7215... ) and remains of one of Ireland's few surviving medieval leper hospitals. The ruins of the Leper House of St. Brigid are heavily overgrown and difficult to access. I am unsure if it has been archaeologically investigated? But one claim to fame has to be the enormous chestnut tree that recently adorned the grounds. It was reputed to be over 300 years old and one of the first chestnut trees introduced into Ireland. As recent as three years ago this tree was intact with it’s enormous trunk and vast network of branches would surely convinced any onlooker of it’s antiquity. Unfortunately, a major section broke off during a storm a few years ago and more recently much of the remaining trunk collapsed as well. Only a couple of secondary growths remain of this once magnificent tree. A program of tree planting a few years ago will ensure the grounds remain well stocked with hardwoods for the foreseeable future.
Other references:
www.buildingsofireland.ie/niah/search.jsp?type=record&... (architectural review of the building)
Thank you for reading.
Stuart.
St. Bigseach church, Kilbixy (North-East side)
Walking up the gravelled pathway this is the first glimpse of the church as the path meanders by the old trees, curves around the headstones and past the mausoleum to the West door. Being out in the countryside, away from busy roads and built-up areas, the scenery here is so peaceful and tranquil.
The Anglican church of St. Bigseach at Kilbixy, Westmeath was built c.1798 at the bequest of Richard Malone (Lord Sunderlin). A fine example of early Gothic revivalism with it’s high arched windows, arched niches and stone-carved finials atop of the supporting pillars, it is believed to have been designed by Francis Johnston. The bell tower is still complete but no longer in use as the wooden structural components are quite fragile and in need of restoration. St. Bigseach may be on the site of a medieval church but nothing remains of this earlier building. On display inside, there is a fragment of a local medieval grave slabstone showing a finely carved cross that dates to the 12th century or earlier.
There are a number of similar gothic-revival churches of this type in Westmeath but unfortunately, most have been disused a long time ago and fallen into ruin. Many of these were built during the late 18th and early 19th centuries with funds from the Irish Board of First Fruits ( books.google.ie/books?id=ishbrAfJ3SMC&pg=PA34&lpg... of fruits ireland&f=false ). Thankfully, St. Bigseach is still attended by a small Church of Ireland community of about 22 people for service there on Sundays.
The building itself suffered a disaster in the late 1960’s when most of the roof collapsed in, no one was hurt in the incident. The cause of this had never been confirmed but may have been due to long-term decay of it’s wooden supports. Due to the small size of the remaining congregation and insufficient funds, the East end of the church was refurbished but to only a third of it's previous size and continues in use. The remaining uncovered section of nave serves as an entrance courtyard and this works quite well, giving it a wonderfully intimate and cosy feel. The original internal fixtures and fitting were retained in the Eastern section but unfortunately the magnificently decorated Victorian cast-iron radiator and 19th century organ loft have gone.
The windows are of Georgian plain cross-hatched glazing with many of it’s original panes in-situ but unfortunately, occasional vandalism over the years has taken it’s toll and replacements with modern glass panes just don’t blend in. The magnificent East window behind the alter was rescued from another Westmeath Anglican church ( www.flickr.com/photos/23885771@N03/3603464020/in/set-7215... ). There is also a magnificent carved oak (?) lectern ( www.flickr.com/photos/23885771@N03/3602648939/in/set-7215... ), a historical display of photographs showing previous Ministers and the church as it was looked before.
St. Bigseach church is set in beautifully landscaped grounds surrounded by well kept graves. The grounds include the Malone mausoleum ( www.flickr.com/photos/23885771@N03/3602651247/in/set-7215... ) and remains of one of Ireland's few surviving medieval leper hospitals. The ruins of the Leper House of St. Brigid are heavily overgrown and difficult to access. I am unsure if it has been archaeologically investigated? But one claim to fame has to be the enormous chestnut tree that recently adorned the grounds. It was reputed to be over 300 years old and one of the first chestnut trees introduced into Ireland. As recent as three years ago this tree was intact with it’s enormous trunk and vast network of branches would surely convinced any onlooker of it’s antiquity. Unfortunately, a major section broke off during a storm a few years ago and more recently much of the remaining trunk collapsed as well. Only a couple of secondary growths remain of this once magnificent tree. A program of tree planting a few years ago will ensure the grounds remain well stocked with hardwoods for the foreseeable future.
Other references:
www.buildingsofireland.ie/niah/search.jsp?type=record&... (architectural review of the building)
Thank you for reading.
Stuart.