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St. Mollerans Church

St. Molleran’s Church is built on the site of a 13th-century Franciscan friary. The friary was granted land by the Earl of Ormond and was in use until the suppression of monasteries under Henry VIII.
St Molleran 22123032_9
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The current church was constructed in 1827, incorporating elements from the medieval friary.  The church’s front wall serves as a reminder of the Great Famine, built as part of a work-for-food project in the 1840s.  The church features a mix of medieval and 19th-century architecture, including a medieval bell tower and a three-storey tower.

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

St. Molleran’s Church is a significant historical and architectural site located in Carrickbeg, Carrick-on-Suir, Co. Tipperary. The church stands on the site of a 13th-century Franciscan friary, parts of which are still incorporated into the current building. This friary was originally established with land granted by the Earl of Ormond and was occupied by the Franciscans until the suppression of the monasteries under Henry VIII (Buildings of Ireland).

The present church building was constructed in 1827, reusing fabric from the medieval friary. It features a mix of architectural styles, including a medieval bell tower and a second three-storey tower. The church’s structure includes a west-facing gable front, a four-bay nave, and various medieval elements such as carved heads and armorial plaques (Buildings of Ireland) (Ireland XO).

1830 image extracted from page 237 of volume 1 of Picturesque views of the Antiquities of Ireland. Drawn on stone by J. D. Harding, from the sketches of R. O'C. Newenham., by NEWENHAM, Robert O'Callaghan. Original held and digitised by the British Library.

Cultural Significance

The church’s boundary wall is a notable reminder of the Great Famine, as it was built by local peasants as part of a work-for-food project in the 1840s. This aspect of the church’s history highlights its importance not only as a place of worship but also as a community landmark during times of hardship (Tipperary Tourism).

Current Use and Access

Today, St. Molleran’s Church continues to serve as a parish church, hosting regular mass and community events. The church is open to visitors, with mass times available on weekdays and weekends. The parish office operates on weekdays, providing information and support to both parishioners and visitors (churchmedia.ie).

For those interested in exploring further, the church is located at Abbey Heights, Carrickbeg, Carrick-on-Suir, Co. Tipperary, and can be reached by phone at +353 51 640 340. For more detailed information, you can visit Tipperary Tourism and Buildings of Ireland.

CONTACT DETAILS

Mass times

Monday 09.30.
Tuesday St Anthony mass 0930.
Tuesday evening St Anthony prayers, 19.30.
Saturday evening 18.30.
Sunday morning 09.00 and 11.00.

Parish office open weekdays from 09.30 to 13.00. 

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