churches historical derry

Banagher is said to have been founded by Muiredagh O'Heney, a saint of unknown date associated with a well-known local family. The church is scarcely any earlier then 12th century, with inclining jambs, a massive lintel on the exterior doorway and an arch within. The date 474 was carved on the doorway in the 18th century!

In the earlier 13th century, a chancel was added to the east end, and the east wall fo the original church was replaced by a chancel arch.

To the south-eas...

In the centre of Coleraine on the original site of St. Patrick's foundation of the 5th Century. Parts of the present church date from 1613 and it contains many fine and moving memorials. To the rear of the church are the remains of the earthen wall or rampart which surrounded Coleraine in the early 1600s....

Its earliest part is the nave, probably erected in the 12th century when the Augustinian Canons took over an earlier monastery associated with St Nechtan. The exterior east end of the nave still preserves slight extensions of the north and south walls beyond the gable ends. More unusual is the blind arcading still traceable in the eastern interior corners of the nave, which helps to provide a date no earlier than the second quarter of the twelfth century. Now closed off from the nave by a woo...

The site of a monastery founded by St Lurach in the 6th century, Maghera was the seat of a bishopric in the 12th/13th centuries. Parts of the now roofless rectangular church may date from before this period, though it is difficult to say how much earlier.

It was extended further to the east at the same time that the most important feature of the church was inserted in the west wall - a doorway dating probably from the episcopate of Muiredach O'Coffy (1152-73). The most important sin...

The original church of Portstewart dating from at least the 1300s.

In a field to the East there are the remains of a Stone Age Court Tomb and to the South, a mound marks the spot of the citadel of Congal Clairingneach, King of all Ireland in 161 B.C....

St Brecan's Church Ruins reputed to be Derry's oldest building situated in St Columb's Park a quiet woodland by the side of the River Foyle these ruins are said to be the remains of the oldest building in Derry dating back to the 6th century.

Admission: Free

Opening: All year winter daylight hours / Summer 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m....

Originally the site of an ancient Augustian Abbey this church was erected in 1872 replacing the previous "Chapel of Ease" built by Sir Henry Docwra for the settlers. Architect: JG Ferguson. A neo-Gothic church built of whinstone with sandstone dressings, " it is delightfully situated on the City walls, surrounded by its graveyard and a pretty parish school and hall" (Byrne and Frazer). Hammerbeam roof inside. Listed building.

Sited on the West Wall near Bishop's Gate this beautiful...

The First Derry Presbyterian Church was built with the help of a large sum of money donated by Queen Mary as a reward for the bravery of the Presbyterians during the Siege of 1689.

It has a chaste and handsome front made of Dungiven sandstone a fine portico of four fluted columns with corinthians capitals entablature and pediment and is approached by a broad set of steps. Inside the main space is lofty with a fine coffered timber ceiling and behind the pulpit are stained glass windows...

St Columba's 'Long Tower' is another very important Derry church. It was the first Catholic church erected in the city after the momentous events of the reformation and plantation. It is decorated in a brilliant neo-Renaissance style. Built originally in 1784, St Columba's occupies the precincts of another of Derry's famous medieval churches the Tempull Mor or great Church. This was built in the 1160's at a time when a reasonably large township had grown up around the ancient monastery.
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This 10th century nave has a fine decorated 12th century west door with a crucificion scene carved on the massive lintel.

Tours on request....