THE CHURCH OF THE ASSUMPTION

The present Church replaced a smaller Church, which had been built in 1832. When the new Church was ready the roof was removed from the old Church and it lay derelict for almost forty years. It was renovated in 1918 and has since served as parish hall. There is a stone in the side wall with the inscription …

The site for the new Church was obtained on lease from Lord and Lady Greville on 12th February 1873. The Architect was Mr. G. C. Ashlin, who also designed Cobh Cathedral and the contractor was Mr. Davis. The foundation stone was laid on 26th October 1873 and Bishop Nulty dedicated the new Church on 2nd October 1881. 

Parish Records give the following account of the building of the new Church.

The first step was to procure a site. An old man named Jemmy Lacy, belonging to the town, owned the field on which the Church now stands. Fr. Matthews gave him something for his goodwill and on Feb 12th, 1873 Lord and Lady Greville gave a lease for ever to Fr. Matthews and other Trustees for the site of a Church and Parochial House at a yearly rent of £4. The field contains 1 acre, 2 rood, 13 perch (Irish).

Fr. Tom Burke preached in the old chapel to raise funds. Sunday 2nd October, 1881 the new Church was blessed and opened by Dr. Nulty. The Preacher was Fr. Shinnors O.M.I.

For economy the spire is said not to be the height in the original plan. Lady Greville subscribed £500. Paddy Maguire (Balrath) gave £1000 for the High Altar and other subscriptions. Out of the money he had in trust, belonging to Bernard Burke, he gave another £350 towards procuring the bell.

Ashlin was Architect, Davis of Trim the builder. Davis is said to have lost heavily on account of the unexpected rise in the price of slates, but there is reason to believe that endeavoured to recoup himself by using inferior lead and a scant supply of down pipes. At any rate in 1892 the plumbing had to be done over again and a considerable addition had to be made to the piping.
The new seating of the 2 side aisles, 54 seats and 2 kneelers, was done by a bequest of Brigid Quinn, Rosmead. Three others bought one seat each. James Ennis, Delvin made the seats, £7-15-0 each. Miss Quinn afterwards gave an additional £100 to complete the seats.