Churches of Dublin

Churches.

St. Michael’s Church. - In 1554, Archbishop Browne erected three Prebends in Christ-church, St. Michael’s, St. Michan’s, and St. John’s; from which date the Roman Catholic service was never performed in those churches, for they were so erected after Archbishop. Browne had embraced the reformed religion, he being the first who did so in Ireland; and his principal object was, to have chapels where the service of the Church of England could be performed without interruption.

The chapel of St. Michael is situated in High-street, at the corner of Christ-church-lane, immediately opposite the western end of the cathedral. Until very lately, it was in ruins, the steeple only standing; but it is now renewed with much taste. The former church to which the steeple was attached being much larger, has occasioned that disproportion which exists between the steeple and choir, as they now appear. The steeple is a very high square tower, without a spire, in the lower part of which is the portal leading into a vestibule or ante-hall.

The interior of this chapel is fitted up with taste and neatness, in the pointed style of architecture. Here the corporation of shoe-makers have a seat, but they have not yet put up their arms. The site of St. Michael’s has long been that of a religious establishment, and a chapel was erected on this precise spot by Donat, 1076, which was converted into a parish church by Archbishop Talbot, 1417. The second church erected here was in 1676; to accomplish which, a petition was presented by the parishioners to the Earl of Arran, requesting him to raise a subscription in his regiment, for the repair of their church. The present beautiful little edifice was erected in 1815; Dr. Graves, the Dean of Ardagh, being Prebendary. The number of inhabitants in this parish is 1,748, and the number of houses 123.

St. John’s Church. This church, situated in Fishamble-street, at the corner of John’s-lane, and next the court-yard in front of the old Deanery, was also erected a Prebend by Archbishop Browne, in 1544. The front consists of four columns of the Doric order, supporting a pediment: a broad flight of steps conducts up to this front, in which are three entrances; a gate in the centre leading to the great aisle, and a door-way, leading to the galleries, on each side. The interior of the church is plain, but handsome; and the galleries are fronted with oak, varnished, and pannelled. On the front of the gallery, at the north side, the arms of the corporation of tailors are suspended, with this motto in Latin, “I was naked and you clothed me.”

The present church is of modern date: in the register of the parish in the vestry-room, may be seen the estimate for its re-building in. 1767, amounting to the sum of 1,170l. 3s. 6½ d. not more than one-fifth of what it would cost at this day; and many protests of the parishioners, against this extravagant estimate, are registered along with it.

The church which occupied this site before the present building was erected; was raised about the year 1500 by Arnold Usher; and this succeeded a chapel built in the eleventh century. This parish consists of persons in the middle ranks of trade, although some over-grown fortunes have been accumulated by the inhabitants of Fishamble-street. The population amounts to 4,408, and the number of houses to 297.

St. Michan’s Church. The Church of St. Michan was situated in. Church-street, a short distance from the law courts; and before the year 1700 was the only one on the north side of the Liffey; and was well adapted for hearing. The choir became ruinous and was taken down in 1824, but the steeple, which is of modern erection, remains.

The vaults of this church have long been a subject of curiosity and investigation, from the extraordinary antiseptic power they possess. Bodies deposited here some centuries since, are still in such a state of preservation, that their features are nearly discernible, and the bones and skin quite perfect. A learned chemist in this city published an article in a periodical paper, on the appearance of the remains deposited in these vaults, from which the following is a brief abstract:

Not many years since, the high state of preservation of the bodies laid here, gave rise to the idea that some religious persons placed in these dreary abodes had afforded all-powerful protection to their bodies from corruption. But the full growth of science in this age is not to be imposed upon, nor likely to be contented with such a subterfuge, for the explanation of phenomena which are capable of being explained. The bodies which have been a long time deposited, appear in all their awful solitariness, at full length, the coffins having mouldered to pieces; but from those, and even the more recently entombed, not the least cadaverous smell is discoverable; and all exhibit a similar appearance, are dry, and of a dark colour. It is observable of animal matter in general, that in common cases, from the action of the external air, or its own re-action, putrefaction results; but when placed in a temperature not exceeding 32 degrees, the septic tendency is considerably counteracted, as the preservatioit of the Mumnioth in the Ice-berg would sufficiently prove. In this instance, it appears, that the action of the fluid was interrupted by cold; now, if the action of the inclosed fluid was altogether destroyed, as is the case in the salting of meat, it is plain this would also contribute to counteract septic tendency: whence it follows, that it is moisture which gives life to the putrefactive ferment.

Now the floor, walls, and atmosphere of these vaults are perfectly dry, and the walls are composed of a stone peculiarly calculated to resist moisture. Further, it appears, that in none of the bodies deposited here, are any intestines, or other parts containing fluid matter, to be found, having all decayed shortly after burial. In one vault is shown the remains of a nun, who died at the advanced age of 111: the body has now been 30 years in this mansion of death, and although there is scarcely a remnant of the coffin, is as completely preserved, with the exception of the hair, as if it had been embalmed. In the same vault are to be seen the bodies of two Roman Catholic clergymen, Which have been 50 years deposited here, even more perfect than the nun. In general, it was evident, that the old were much better preserved than the young.

In this church-yard many persons implicated in the unfortunate rebellion of 1708 were interred; amongst them is one very remarkable man, Oliver Bond, who died in. Newgate, while under sentence of death.

Here is also a monument to the memory of Dr. Lucas, the first physician who ever sat in Parliament, with the following inscription:-

To the memory of

Charles Lucas, M. D. formerly one of the representatives in Parliament for the City of Dublin; whose incorrupt integrity, unconquered spirit, just judgment, and glorious perseverance in the great cause of Liberty, Virtue, and his Country, endeared him to his grateful constituents. This tomb is placed over his much-respected remains, as a small, yet Sincere tribute of Remembrance, by one of his fellow-citizens and constituents, Sir Edward Newenham, Knight.

Lucas! Hibernia’s friend, her joy and pride, Her powerful bulwark, and her skilful guide, Firm in the senate, steady to his trust, unmoved by fear, and obstinately just.

Charles Lucas, born 26th of September, 1713. Died November 4th, 1771.

There is also a statue of Dr. Lucas in the Exchange.

The population of this parish amounts to upwards of 22,923 souls and the number of houses to 6,573.

St. Audeon’s, or St. Owen’s Church. This ancient church is situated in a narrow passage, leading from Corn-market to Cook-street, on the south side of the river. Asearly as 1213, Henry de Loundres, Archbishop of Dublin, is mentioned as having, by charter, appropriated this church to the treasurer of St. Patrick’s; and in 1467, it was erected into a distinct Prebend.

The church originally consisted of the choir, and of one aisle parallel to it, built by Lord Portlester: at the end of this aisle is a steeple, with a ring of bells. The present church is only the western end of the ancient one, about three-fourths of this venerable edifice being in complete ruins. The eastern extremity of the choir still exhibits a beautiful specimen of the pointed style of architecture; there being to be seen here, three arches of the most light and elegant construction.

On one of the pillars, from which these arches spring, is a tablet, the inscription on which cannot be readily deciphered: it is. erected to the memory of a female of the St. Leger family, whose effigy is placed at full length at the foot of the pillar. In the vestibule of the church is buried Dr. Parry, Bishop of Killaloe, and two of his sons, who were successively Bishops of Ossory. He died of the plague, in Dublin, 1650.

Near this is a large stone, to the memory of the Breretons, bearing date May 10th, 1610; adjacent to this, another marks the burying place of Sir Matthew Terrell, Knight, who died, in 1649; and under the east window is the tomb of Robert Maple, Esq. who died Jan. 8th, 1618.

At the south side of the eastern window are the recumbent figures of a knight, in armour, and his lady, both remarkably perfect. This tomb was erected by Rowland Fitz Eustace, Baron Portlester, 1455*,* in the aisle which he built at his own expense. Lord Portlester, whose title is now extinct, was buried at New Abbey, in the county Kildare, 1496.

Sir Capel Molyneux had a monument against the northern wall of the choir, which has lately been removed, though the family continue to be interred in the vaults of this church. The Byrnes of Cabinteely, in the county of Dublin, have also a monument in the eastern end of Lord Portlester’s aisle.

There are, amongst the ruins of this once-beautiful edifice, many monuments of wood; the most perfect, is that dedicated to the memory of John Malone, Esq. Alderman of Dublin, who died 1591. A stone sarcophagus rests against the south wall of the aisle, on which are the names of John Malone and Mary Pentony. At the west end of the sarcophagus is this inscription:- John Malone, Mary Pentony, virit post fumera virtus, and on the east,

Ecce tali domo clauditur omnis homo.

The monument, which is entirely wood, is placed against the wall over the sarcophagus.

In the chancel are many more monuments, some of wood, and two, on plates of copper, inserted in a pillar opposite the reading desk and pulpit.

Divine service is performed here every day at the usual hours. There are very few Protestants in this parish, though the number of inhabitants amounts to upwards of 5,180 and the number of houses to 468.

A steeple was erected about 1650, which was blown down in 1668, and rebuilt at the expense of the parishioners, in 1670.

Church of St. Nicholas Without. The parish of St. Nicholas, is divided into two parts, St. Nicholas Within the Walls, which is in Nicholas-street, near High-street, and St. Nicholas Without. This latter church, which is dedicated to St. Myra, and is supposed to have stood in Limerick Alley, may be considered coeval with the cathedral of St. Patrick, as it occupied the north transept of the cathedral: it was 50 feet in length, and 32 in breadth.

It was formerly quite in ruins; but it has this year been restored, which renders the cathedral perfect in form and extent, however it may fall short of its primaeval beauty.

This desirable improvements gives the Wide-street Commissioners a claim to some share of public approbation, for the pains they are now taking to beautify and render convenient this and every other part of Dublin.

A new street it already marked out, and begun, being a continuation of York-street, which will form one grand avenue from Stephen’s Green to St. Patrick’s cathedral, which is now without one decent, or clean approach. The Northern close too has been widened and rebuilt, and an opening is now being formed between the West end of Kevin-street and the Police Barrack.

In 1708, the parish of St. Nicholas Without was divided, and one part constituted a distinct parish, by the title of St. Luke’s. A parish church was erected on the Coombe, not far from Patrick’s-street, and a Glebe-house built for the curate.

The nomination, however of this curacy, as well as that of St. Nicholas Without, is vested in the chapter of St. Patrick. Though this parish is of small extent, there are 12,172 inhabitants within its boundaries, principally of the poorest class, and but 980 houses.

St. Peter’s Church. The parish of St. Peter’s, the largest in Dublin, has also the largest church, which is situated in Aungier-street, opposite York-street. Here, upon occasions of very public or peculiarly interesting nature, charity sermons are usually delivered, and in this church the celebrated Dean Kirwan obtained, by the overpowering influence of his eloquence, the enormous sum of 4,000l. per annum for charitable purposes, for a series of years.

The present church is on an old site, but is a building of modern date, and is in the form of a cross: the pews and front of the gallery are pannelled and painted white. Both the exterior and interior of this church are divested of ornament, and, except for its capaciousness, it would not he worth noticing as a public building. There are a few monuments around the gallery walls, undeserving of notice as specimens of statutary. In the south gallery is a slab, to the memory of Lieutenant-general Archibald Hamilton, who fought at the siege of Londonderry, in 1688.

In the gallery, on the north side, is a small tablet to Lieutenant George Westby; who fell at Fuentes d’Honor in Spain, May 5th, 1811; and his brother Edward, who fell at Waterloo, June 18th, 1815.

The respectability and extent of this parish have rendered the cemetry the resting-place of many illustrious deceased. Here are deposited the remains of the Earl of Roden, and several members of that family; with a great number of bishops, and other dignitaries. Here also is the burying place of the Dunboyne family; and the celebrated John Fitzgibbon, Earl of Clare, and Lord High Chancellor of Ireland, is interred at the south side of the church-yard, close to the wall, with only a plain flag marking the place of his interment. This extraordinary man was remarkable for having risen to rank and distinction against the united efforts of the great orators of Ireland, Grattan and Curran, to whom he was opposed for a series of years. His exertions on the regency question were so great as to recommend him to the notice of persons in power, in preference to every other candidate; and upon the death of Lord Lifford, in 1789, he was raised from the Attorney-generalship to the dignified station of Chancellor of Ireland.

The Archdeacon of Dublin is always the vicar of this parish, and in consequence of the multiplied occasional duty, he employs three curates. The population of this parish is 16,292, and the number of houses 1,650. Its great extent also requires the assistance of several chapels: there is one in Kevin-street, another in Upper Mount-street, Merrion-square; a third at Donnybrook, a fourth at Rathfarnham, and a fifth at Tawney; besides a chapel now erecting at Rathmines.

St. Kevin’s Church. St. Kevin’s is a chapel of ease, assistant to St. Peter’s; and consequently the Archdeacon of Dublin is the Vicar. The vicarage of St. Kevin was formerly in the gift of the Archbishop of Dublin, and was usually bestowed upon his vicar choral, whom, as prebendary of Cohen, h was bound to provide for. The Dean and Chapter of St. Patrick’s are now the Rectors, but the vicarage has been united to the Archdeaconry of Dublin. Upon this site a chapel was built some time in the 15th century, dedicated to St. Coemgen or St Kevin.

The present church, which is, comparatively speaking, of recent date, is in the shape of the letter T, a plain building, like a village church, without any gallery in the interior, or any monuments. It is surrounded by an extensive cemetry, filled with countless tombs, but none of them dedicated to persons of rank, or distinction, nor remarkable for their beauty.

Near a small door in the church-yard is a pyramidal monument to the Rev. Joint Austin, of the Jesuit order, 1784; and to the left of the principal entrance into the church-yard from Church-lane, is a small stone, dedicated to the memory of Henry Oliver, aged 136 years.

Divine service is very numerously attended at this church, owing to the difficulty of procuring seats in St. Peter’s: - the entrance is from Church-lane in Kevin-street. The amount of the population of this parish is 9,096 and the number of houses 803.

St. Werburgh’s Church. This church, situated in the street of the same name, is dedicated to St. Werburgh, daughter of Wulherus, King of Mercia, who is entombed in the cathedral of Chester. The old church of St. Werburgh, built by the inhabitants of Bristol, in the reign of Henry II. was destroyed by fire, with a great part of the city, in 1300, only 13 years after the destruction of Christ-church cathedral by the aem element.

In 1754 it was burnt down a second time, and rebuilt in a very handsome style, in 1759, the same year in which the grand front of Trinity College was finished.

The front of this church consists of several stories, which, though frequently altered, owing to the repeated accidents hat have happened to this building, still preserve considerable beauty and consistency. In the basement story six Ionic columns support a handsome plain entablature; between which are three entrances, a large gate in the centre, with a semi-circular pediment, and small door-ways on each side, leading to the north and south galleries, over which are windows, lighting the staircases, ornamented with architraves and crowned with pediments.

The second story is of the Corinthian order, in which a large window, lighting the bell-loft, is placed, much ornament, and crowned with a pediment. The next, the belfry-story, is square, and ornamented at its angles by Composite half-pillars. Above this story is a low parapet or pedestal, fomr which the spire, which has been taken down, rose gradually.

The spire was, perhaps, the lightest and most elegant in Ireland, the upper part of which, terminated by a gilt ball, was supported by eight rusticated pillars, but, either from the perishable nature of the stone, or a defect in the building, it appeared inclined from its perpendicularity; and although Mr. Francis Johnston undertook to secure it, such was the alarm of the inhabitants, that they insisted upon its being immediately taken down, which was accordingly done in 1810. The removal of this spire was a considerable loss to a city which could boast of only two, viz. St. Patrick’s and St. Werburgh’s; the former of which, from its situation, is only visible in particular positions; but the ingenious architect who undertook to support the spire of St. Werburgh’s, has, since supplied its loss by the erection of St. George’s, a more beautiful edifice, and more advantageously situated. The interior of the church is venerable and elegant: the pews of oak, and the front of the gallery is also of oak, carved and pannelled.

The royal arms are in front of the organ loft; and the organ, which is considered remarkably fine, cost 400 guineas. In the south gallery are two handsome monuments to Mrs. Arthur and Mrs. Benjamin Guinness. And on the south side of the church, in the passage leading to the church-yard, there are several figures of very ancient date: next the door are eight in pontifical habits; to the east of these are two whole-length figures of a knight in armour and his lady lying beside him, both much effaced.

There are four other figures not far from these, also placed in the wall, evidently scriptural characters. In the vaults of this church lie the remains of Lord Edward Fitzgerald, brother to the late Duke of Leinster, who died in Newgate, 1798, of the wounds he received in resisting the officers who arrested him. His family have since been restored by Parliament to the enjoyment of their property, and the confidence of the Crown, in consideration of the services of his lordship’s son in the peninsular war.

Here also are interred the remains of Sir James Ware the antiquarian; but there are no monuments to the memory of either. Edwin the player is likewise interred here;. and on the tomb marking his place of rest, a bitter reproach is engraved, against the author of the Familiar Epistles, the severity of which is stated to have caused his premature death.

The population of St. Werburgh’s parish amounts to 2,620 souls, and the number of houses to 229. In this church the Lord Lieutenant has a seat, which, however, since the rebuilding of the Castle chapel, he seldom occupies, except on the day of the charity sermon. Divine Service is performed here every, day.

St. Mary’s Church. The parish church of St. Mary’s is situated in Mary-street, at the intersection of Stafford-street with Jervis-street.-The front is scarcely deserving of description, as it consists merely of a great gate, with Ionic columns on each side, and two smaller entrances leading to the galleries, over which are windows of clumsy workmanship, ornamented with stone architraves.

Above the vestibule is a square tower, or belfry, of an unpicturesque appearance, so that on the whole, the convenience of its situation, being In the very centre of the parish, is the only advantage the parishioners have to congratulate themselves upon with regard to the edifice itself.

The interior, which measures 80 feet by 55, is in the same heavy style of decoration; and although it has the appearance of antiquity, this is attributable to the tasteless style in which it was originally erected, the date of its foundation being only 1697. Yet, though not elegant, this church is extremely comfortable; a gallery extends quite round (with the exception of the eastern end, in which is a large window with a circular head), and is supported by large oak pillars, which assume the Ionic order after they reach the gallery, whence they are continued to the ceiling.

There are many monuments in this church, placed against the side walls. At the south side of the communion-table is a tablet, to the memory of Edward Tenison, Bishop of Ossory, who died Sept. 29th, 1735; and on the other side is one to the memory of Richard Nulty, Nov. 10th, 1729. In the north gallery is a tablet to Mrs; Newcome, a member of the Doyley family, who died 30th Dec. 1769. In the same gallery, and next the monument of Mrs. Newcome, is that of Dr. Law (who died June 11th, 1789), which was erected at the public expense, as a tribute of public esteem.

In the south gallery is a large marble slab, enclosed in a frame of black marble, bearing a very long inscription, to the memory of Mrs. Chevenin (daughter of Colonel Dives, of Bedfordshire, and wife of the bishop of Waterford and Lismore) who was the friend of the Princess of Orange and the Countess of Chesterfield: she died in 1752. In the same gallery are two small tablets, to Gorges Edmond Howard, and Dean Fletcher.

In the aisle, at the south side of the church, is a handsome monument to Mr. William Watson (who died May 26th, 1805), the workmanship of Edward Smyth, erected at the public expense. It exhibits a white slab on a grey ground, surmounted by an opened Bible and a funeral urn.

The burying-ground attached to this church is of considerable, dimensions, though too small for the extent of the parish. Among the numerous tombs which crowd this cemetry, are those of Baroness Maydell, who died ia 1818; Dr. Marlay, Bishop of Waterford, uncle to the late Henry Grattan; Mrs, Mercer, the founder of Mercer’s Hospital; and Mr. Simpson, who endowed the hospital for the blind and for those labouring with the gout.

The parish of St. Mary is very extensive, and comprises some of the most fashionable parts of the city; the population amounts to 22,902 persons, and there are 1,879 houses. Divine service is celebrated here every week-day at eleven o’clock precisely, and, every Sunday at twelve.

St. Anne’s Church is situated in Dawson-street, opposite Anne-street, and near the mansion-house: its site was granted to the parishioners of St. Bridget’s, 1707, by Joshua Dawson, Esq. and from that period St. Mine’s was erected into a distinct parish.

The front is a copy from a church at Rome, suggested by Mr. Smyth, architect, consisting of a grand portal with half columns of the Done order, and smaller entrances on each side, with ornamented windows over each, lighting the stairs which lead to the gallery. The upper part of the front, having neither cupola nor steeple, has an exceedingly unfinished appearance. The interior is spacious and disposed with good taste; and the gallery is supported by pillars of carved oak, and fronted with the same. In the south gallery is a canopied seat, formerly belonging to the Dukes of Leinster, exactly opposite to which is a seat of corresponding appearance, belonging to Antrim-house. The parishioners are rather of the higher classes of society, as it is in a most respectable and fashionable neighbourhood.

At the east end of the south gallery is a handsome monument, consisting of a pediment of white marble, supported by two cherubims, one on each side, who are represented as looking at a marble bust, beneath the pediment.

Against the wall of the south gallery, in one of the piers, is a beautifully executed monument, by Smyth, to the memory of Miss Elizabeth Phibbs. A female figure is represented leaning over a funeral urn, in a mournful attitude the figure and urn are of white marble, and the ground of variegated marble.

In the church-yard, which is exceedingly crowded, are deposited the remains of many noble and learned individuals:- Dr. Brocas, Dean of Killaloe; Lord Rosmore; General Anthony St. Leger; Dr. Stopford; Bishop of Cloyne; Right Hon. Lieut. Gen. Pomeroy, and many others of equal rank.

Divine service is celebrated here, and in every church in Dublin, at eleven o’clock every day, except Sunday, when it commences at twelve. The population of this parish probably amounts to 8,689 individuals, and the number of houses to 781.

St. Bridget’s, or St. Bride’s Church, is situated in a street of the same name, and at the corner of Bride’s Alley. In 1181, John Comyn, Archbishop of Dublin, granted this church to the cathedral of St. Patrick; but, before that time, it belonged to that of the Holy Trinity or Christ-church. This parish consists of a union of three smaller parishes, the ancient St. Bride’s, St. Stephen’s, and St. Michael de Ia Pole 3 of the latter no traces remain; but on the same site a school-house is built, where the poor children of Bride’s parish are clothed and educated, and twenty of them boarded and Iodged. There is a small space of ground adjoining the school-house still used as a burying-place. The entrance is through a narrow passage in Great Ship-street, marked by a stone placed over the door-way directing to the school of St. Michael de la Pole.

The exterior of St. Bride’s church is more like that of a meeting-house belonging to some religious sect, than a church of the established religion. In the eastern end, a thing very unusual, are two large circular-headed windows, and at the top of the pediment-formed gable is a clock.

The interior of the church is particularly neat and comfortable; and has a gallery on the sides and the west end, and. a few monuments against the walls. In the north gallery is a monument to the memory of Mrs. Pleasants, wife of Thomas Pleasants, Esq., so justly celebrated in the annals of Dublin, for the extent and number of his charitable donations. Amongst his excellent donations was a sum of 12,0001. and upwards, for the erection of a stove-house or tenter-house in the liberty; 8,0001. for the building of Meath Hospital, and 5001. for building a splendid entrance to the Botanic Gardens at Glasnevin; and a yearly bequest for the support of 30 Protestant female children; who are to be clothed, educated, and portioned in marriage. This latter institution is conducted according to the most sanguine expectations of the founder, at No. 67 in Camden-street.

Mrs. Pleasants’ monument consists of the family arms at the top, in white marble, beneath which is a funeral urn, resting on a small sarcophagus, both of white marble, and placed on a grey marble ground; and on the side of the sarcophagus is an inscription in affectionate and feeling language.

In the western hall, behind the organ, is a small tablet to the memory of Sir William Cooper, Bart.; and in the small cemetery is a tomb to the memory of the Domvilles, and, behind; a slab to commemorate the resting place of the charitable Mr. Pleasants. Here also may be seen the tomb of O’Hanlon, keeper of the record tower in Dublin Castle, who was killed by Howley, one of the insurgents, in 1803, while attempting to arrest him. The inhabitants of this parish are 10,639 in number, and there are 760 dwelling houses.

St. George’s Church. On the north side of the city, in a crescent called Hardwicke Place, from Philip, Earl of Hardwicke, Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, stands the parish church of St. George. The first view of this church is imposing: the front may be seen directly from Hardwicke-street, and oblique views equally beautiful are afforded from Eccles-street and Temple-street; so that the general complaint against the situations of most of our public buildings, is altogether groundless in this particular in-stance, and the site itself is the most elevated in Dublin, except the upper end of Eccles-street.

The principal front, towards Hardwicke-street, is 92 feet wide, and consists of a majestic portico of four fluted Ionic columns, 31 feet in diameter, supporting an entablature and pediment; on the frieze of which, is a Greek inscription, signifying - Glory to God in the highest

The portico rests on a landing, accessible by a flight of steps, the entire breadth of itself, viz. 42 feet, and the projection of the portico is 15 feet.

The body of the church has, besides, three fronts of the Ionic order, and, being without a church-yard, the rectangle in which the church stands is surrounded by a square of small neat houses, and affords not only an uninterrupted view of each front, but a less dreary prospect than the neglected cemeteries around the Irish churches in general do. There are five entrances, one in front, beneath the portico which conducts into the vestibule below the steeple, and two in each side. At the eastern end is a projecting building of 22 feet in breadth, and 40 in length: here are the parish school and vestry-room; and even these appendages are rendered ornamental.

Over the portico, rises the steeple, remarkable for the justness of its proportions and the perfection of its execution. This permanent monument of the ability and taste of the architect, Francis Johnston, Esq., is 200 feet in height, and consists of five stories above the roof, and a spire. The first story is a square tower, ornamented at the angles by Ionic columns, supporting an entablature, and in the centre of each side is a large circular-headed window, richly ornamented. Above this is the clock story, the angles of which are adorned by large urns, of admirable workmanship; and over the clocks are festoons of carved stone, gracefully terminating at each side.

The third story is an octagonal tower, the angles of which are occupied by small pillars, and in the intervals between the pillars are pannels, with a circular aperture in the centre of each. At the next story, the convergence of the spire, which is also octagonal, commences, and continues with the most gradual inclination to its termination in a ball and stone cross on the pinnacle.

The interior, which is in a corresponding style of taste and magnificence, is 80 feet by 60, surrounded by a gallery. The lower story of the church is encompassed by a passage, or corridor, on the side walls of which the floor of the gallery rests, and projecting beyond the corridor, has the appearance of being without any support, except from the cantalivers in the wall.

The pulpit, reading desk, and communion-table, are in a recess at the east end of the church, and it is intended to place an organ in the opposite gallery; for which purpose contributions have been made by the parishioners, this being at present the only parish church in Dublin without an organ. Bells and a clock are still wanting.

Divine service is celebrated here every day, and, in consequence of the respectability and number of the inhabitants, is generally well attended.

The population of this parish is 12,250, and the number of houses amounts to 1,604.

St George’s Chapel, or Little George’s Church. Not far from the parish-church of St. George, in Lower Temple-street, stands the old chapel, commonly called Little George’s, built in 1698. This place of worship becoming too small in proportion to the extent, and too much decayed in proportion to the wealth and respectability of the persons frequenting it, Great George’s was erected in 1793.

The old church is still used, and a chaplain officiates on Sundays and holy-days. The entrance is beneath an old square steeple, about 40 feet in height. The interior is small, but comfortable, adorned with a few monuments of neat execution, particularly one to the memory of Lady Galbraith, on the south side of the communion-table, which latter is in a recess at the eastern end, and lighted by a large circular-headed window. At the west end, over the entrance, is a small gallery, badly lighted.

The cemetery of St. George’s parish attached to this chapel, is crowded in a most shameful manner, and the surface of the church-yard is several feet above the level of the street: this scandalous proceeding calls loudly for reformation. This was originally a private chapel: there was a St. George’s church at the south side of the city, where George’s-lane is now built.

St. Thomas’s Church. - This very neat and beautiful structure forms the chief ornament of the neighbourhood: its situation, immediately opposite to Gloucester-street, is peculiarly well-chosen; and if it had been elevated a little more, and approached by a flight of steps, would have had a majestic appearance. Had a steeple also been erected on this basement, the want of elevation would be less obvious. The foundation of this church was laid in 1758: and the design is from one by Palladio. The architect of this church and of St. Catherine’s in Thomas-street, was Mr. John Smith.

The front consists of two pilasters, and two three-quarter columns of the Composite order, which support an entablature and pediment. In the centre is a grand door-way of the Corinthian order, crowned by an angular pediment. The entablature is continued from the centre, on each side of the principal entrance, to the extremity of the front, where it terminates in a Corinthian pilaster. On each side are niches decorated with Corinthian pilasters, and crowned with pediments. The entrances to the galleries are in the north and south ends of the projecting front, in recesses formed by circular curtain walls connecting two advanced gates, one on each side, with the building itself, and giving the appearance of a very extended front.

The want of a steeple to this verybeautiful littleedifice is rendered doubly apparent by viewing the front from Gloucester-street, where the body of the church, a huge shapeless bulk, with an enormous roof, towers above this elegant Palladian composition, and hurts the eye of every passenger; and it was the intention of the parishioners to remedy this evil, by the erection of a very beautiful steeple, the design of Mr. Baker, an architect of eminence in Dublin.

The interior of St. Thomas’s is extremely well designed and executed: its length is about 80 feet, along the whole extend of which run galleries, supported by fluted Corinthian pillars of carved oak, varnished over; the front of the gallery is also of oak, highly varnished, pannelled, and ornamented with festoons, and various other decorations.

The east and west ends are each occupied by a grand arch, decorated with coupled Corinthian columns on pedestals. In the western arch is the organ and galleries for the parish children, within the eastern one is a recess, in which are the pulpit and reading-desk; and in front of these, the communion-table. The recess is highly ornamented with stucco-work, and lighted from above by two circular windows in the roof, and a Dioclesian window in the eastern wall. There are no monuments in the interior, but the cemetery contains the remains of many distinguished families.

Divine service is performed here every day at the usual hours. There are 17, 108 inhabitants in St. Thomas’s parish, and 1,929 houses.

St. Catherine’s Church. The parish church of St. Catherine is situated in Thomas-street, at the south side of the river, in a very elevated situation, almost on the site of the abbey. of St. Thomas. The present parish was originally united with that of St. James, and the first church erected on the present site, in 1185; but in 1710, an act was passed disuniting these parishes, the presentation to both resting in the Earl of Meath.

The front of St. Catherine’s is built of granite-stone; and has in the centre four Doric semi-columns supporing a pediment, and at the extremities coupled pilasters. There are two stories, the windows of both of which have carved architraves, and are circular-headed. At the west end stands a tower, containing the belfry, in which is only one bell. The original intention was to erect a steeple and spire, but the idea appears to have been totally abandoned of late.

The interior, which is about 80 feet by 50, is remarkably imposing, and exhibits excellent taste: it resembles those of St. Thomas, St. Werburgh, and St. Anne, but in internal decorations is superior to all of them. Though the design is by Mr. Smith, the architect of St. Thomas’s, St. Catherine’s appears to have been finished in a more elaborate style. The pews and the front of the gallery are of carved oak, highly varnished. The organ is large and ornamented, and there are two handsome galleries, one on each side of the organ, for the parish children. The communion-table stands in a recess, beautifully decorated with stucco-work, and has a handsome arched ceiling, also richly ornamented.

The cemetery belonging to this church is about 180 feet in length by 80 in breadth, and is now almost disused, owing to the poorer classes in the parish preferring to inter their relatives in country church-yards. There is no monument deserving notice, except that of Dr. Whitelaw, the historian of Dublin (who died Feb. 4th, 1813), which is placed near the door of the vestry-room, and there is also another tablet to his memory in the interior of the church.

At the end of the south gallery, and immediately over the monument of Dr. Whitelaw, is a large tablet of white marble, dedicated to the memory of J. Stackpole, Esq. Barrister at Law.

Beneath the communion-table, in a vault, are deposited the mortal remains of the Earls of Meath and their offspring; but without any monument; and on the north side of the communion-table is a small tablet, sacred to the memory of an exceedingly ingenious engineer, to whom the inhabitants of Dublin are much indebted; with the following inscription:-

To the memory of William Mylne, Architect and Engineer, from Edinburgh, who died, aged 56, March 1790, and whose remains are laid in the church-yard adjoining. This tablet was placed by his brother, Robert Mylne, of London, to inform posterity of the uncommon zeal, integrity, and skill, with which he formed, enlarged, and established on a perfect system, the Water-Works of Dublin.

The parish is a Vicarage. The population has been calculated as amounting to 21,264 persons, and the number of houses, to 1,638.

St. James’s Church is in James’s-street, opposite a large obelisk-shaped fountain, ornamented by four sun-dials. It is a long, low, narrow building, with six windows in each side, with circular heads. The interior is in a corresponding style: one row of pews on each side, of pannelled oak, but not varnished, constitutes the accommodation for the parishioners; there is, beside, a small organ loft, with seats for the parish children, and an organ sufficiently large and well-toned. The communion-table is in a shell-formed recess, in the back of which is a glory, in stucco-work.

On the north side of the chancel is a stone of rude appearance, hearing this inscription

This monument was erected by Mark Rainsford, of the City of Dublin, Alderman, 1693.

The date of this monument is antecedent to the erection of this church 1707, and also to its nomination, as a distinct parish from St. Catherine’s, which took place in 1710. On the south side, near the communion-table, is a tolerably-well-executed piece of sculpture, to the memory of Mr. Cooke; and immediately opposite, another to the memory of the Rev. John Ellis, 34 years vicar of this parish. Beneath this latter tomb also lie the remains of William Ellis, govern or of Patna, who fell in the dreadful massacre of 1767.

The cemetery is the most remarkable object connected with the church. Here are innumerable tombs, most of them placed over vaults, erected at the individual expense of the relatives of the deceased. This church-yard has long been marked out by the inhabitants of the liberties as a desirable cemetery for the interment of their friends; and during the fair of St. James, which is held in James-street, opposite the church-yard, they deck the graves with garlands and ornaments, made of white paper, disposed into fanciful forms.

In the centre of the church-yard is the monument of Theobald Butler, an Irish Barrister, who assisted in framing the articles of Limerick, in 1691, and who advocated the Catholic cause before parliament, in 1720. It consists of a high partition of plastered brick-work, with a circular heading, on the front of which are the heads of three cherubim encircling a medallion, and beneath, a tablet, bearing an inscription in gilt letters, on a black ground.

At the lower end of this immense tract of hallowed ground, is a large sarcophagus of grey marble, with pannels inserted in the ends and sides, on one of which is an inscription to the memory of Sylvester Costigan, Esq.

The presentation to this parish is vested in the Earl of Meath. The number of inhabitants is 11,196, and of houses 883.

St. Paul’s Church. - Is situated in King’s-street, north, near the Blue Coat Hospital, and not many yards from Smithfield. It is a neat edifice in the gothic style, with a small spire.

Beneath the gallery, in the northern wall, is an ancient monument, at the summit of which the arms are placed, executed in marble, and coloured, on which is this inscription, in ancient abbreviated characters:-

Underneath lies the body of Ms. Elizabeth, wife of the Hon. Brigadier Gen. Mead, who died April 15th, 1718, aged 47.

Against the south wall is placed a small tablet to the memory of Lieut. Col. Lyde Brown, of the 21st Regt. Royal N. B. Fusileers, who was killed on the 23rd of July, 1808, by the insurgents, under Robert Emmet.

The church-yard is tolerably spacious, and not crowded, as most burying places in Dublin are: it is almost completely occupied by tomb-stones dedicated to military men, who are interred here, from its vicinity to the Royal Barracks.

A tablet is affixed to the exterior south wall of the church, to the memory of three soldiers of the 21st Royal Fusileers, who were killed by the rebels in the insurrection of 1803. This monument was erected at the expense of the non-commissioned officers and privates of the 21st regiment.

Near the centre of the church-yard is Col. Ormsby’s mausoleum, a structure of granite stone, one story in height, entered by a door-way in the western side, and having the arms of the family affixed to the opposite side. It is from a design of A. Baker, Esq., and is a square building, with a plain entablature and pilasters of the Tuscan order at the angles. Here also the ancestors of the great senator, Henry Flood, are buried, beneath a plain grey stone inclosed by an iron balustrade.

Divine service was celebrated in the old church for the last time, on Easter Sunday, 1821. The number of in-habitants in St. Paul’s parish has been estimated at 12,811, and the number of houses has been ascertained to amount to 898.

St. Nicholas Within. The Church of St. Nicholas Within appears always to have been distinct from the cathedrals, as is evident from the charter of Archbishop Comyn, and was built originally by Donat, Bishop of Dublin.

This church, which was erected in 1707, is situated in Nicholas-street, near High-street, and within a few yards of Christ-church Cathedral and St. Michael’s Church. The exterior is of stone of very dark colour, called black slate or calp: it consists of three stories gradually diminishing in breadth to the summit, and is of a gloomy, uninteresting appearance; and the front is inclined so much from perpendicularity as to be exceedingly dangerous. The interior is miserable in the extreme; the pews falling to decay, the walls and ceiling in a wretched condition, and the organ is very old and weak-toned. There is a gallery at the west end, which only accommodates the children of the parish. school.

The cemetery was formerly sufficiently large in proportion to the extent of the parish; but the corporation purchased the major part of it to erect the Tholsel upon (a building since taken down), and is now reduced to such scanty dimensions as to be merely a passage to the vaults. In these vaults several persons of high descent have been deposited; but their names can be learned only from the parish register, as there are no monuments to mark the spot were they are laid.

The population of this parish amounts to about 1582 individuals, and contains 107 dwelling-houses.

St. Andrew’s Church. - The original site of St. Andrew’s Church and cemetery, was on the south side of Dame-street, where Castle-market was afterwards erected 1707; this market was removed in 1782 still more to the south, adjoining William-street, where it now stands, and the handsome row of houses on the south side of Dame-street built in its place.

About 1530, when the learned John Alan (chaplain of Cardinal Wolsey, and who was murdered at Clontarf by Thomas; eldest son of the Earl of Kildare) was Archbishop of Dublin, this church was assigned to the Chapter’s Vicar of St. Patrick’s Cathedral. Archbishop Brown united St. Andrew’s to the parish of St. Werburgh’s, in 1554; but this union was dissolved by act of parliament, in 1660, and St. Andrew’s erected into a distinct parish, the presentation to the Vicarage being vested in the Chancellor, the Archbishop of Dublin, the Vice Treasurer, the Chief Baron, the Chief. Justice, and Master of the Rolls: any four to constitute a quorum, the Archbishop being always one of the four.

In 1707 an act was passed constituting the parish of St. Mark’s a distinct parish, which was before only part of St. Andrew’s.

The present site is about 400 yards east of the former one: here a church was erected in 1670, which falling to decay, the present extraordinary edifice, in imitation of St. Mary de Rotunda, at Rome, and commonly called the Round Church, was commenced, in 1793. It Is in the form of an ellipse, whose major axis is 80 feet in length, and minor 60; the gallery story is ornamented by seven large windows, with circular heads, admitting too great a body of light into the interior, which error is corrected by blinds of oiled silk, ornamented with transparencies, the subjects of which are scriptural. In the eastern window, little children are represented coming to Christ; and in the western window, is the flight into Egypt.

The entrance, which is in St. Andrew’s-street, opposite Church-lane, is through a granite porch, of a plain, unornamented style. Over the principal entrance, in the centre, is a statue of St. Andrew, executed by Edward Smyth; the only one erected over any Protestant place of worship in Dublin. At each extremity of tile vestibule are urns, ornamenting the angles, and in the returns are the gallery doors. On the other side of the church, in the church-yard, are two stories of a steeple; the basement story is converted into a vestry-room, the other is unemployed; the steeple, which is in the Gothic or pointed style, is the design of Francis Johnston, Esq. but it remains unfinished, arid all idea of completing it is abandoned.

The interior is in every respect the reverse of the exterior: the pews are formed in the intervals between the passages which diverge from the centre of the ellipse, as radii; in the centre is a beautifully executed baptismal font of veined marble, having the outside, and pillar supporting it, fluted; the oval space in the centre is flagged with black and white marble; the communion-table stands in front of the reading-desk and pulpit, at the south side of the church, and near the extremity of the minor axis of the ellipse, which is obviously contrary to the situation which a slight knowledge of the doctrine of echoes or sounds would have pointed out, viz. one of the foci of the ellipse: hence this church is particularly distinguished for the great difficulty of being heard, which is inflicted on the reader; and in particular parts of the church he is quite inaudible. The gallery is an extremely graceful object; the pillars by which it is supported retire so far as to give the idea of extreme lightness, and the fluting of them is exceedingly beautiful. A handsome cordage is represented connecting the shaft to the capital of each pillar, and the capital itself represents Lotus flowers beneath the gallery front, all round, the cordage is continued.

Behind the pulpit, in the gallery story, is the organ, highly ornamented with carved oak-work, and on each side of it, is a delicate and light gallery for the parish children. The oak from which the ornaments of the church are carved, was taken from the roof of the old College Chapel which stood in the entrance of the Library-square, and is remarkable for its extraordinary density and specific gravity. From the centre of the ceiling hangs a large gilt lustre of carved wood, which was formerly in the Irish House of Commons, but was removed when that noble edifice was converted into a national bank.

This parish contains the most respectable trading part of Dublin: the number of its inhabitants is 7, 726, and that of houses, 725. Divine service is performed here every day. There is a burying ground attached, which is preserved with much decency, but has not any remarkable tombs.

It is to be observed of St. Andrew’s Church that, from its extreme proximity to the public thoroughfare, the celebration of divine service is constantly interrupted by the noise of passing vehicles.

St. Luke’s Church. - Is situated on the Coombe, in the vicinity of St. Patrick’s Cathedral. In the year 1708, an act of parliament was passed, for dividing the parish of St. Nicholas Without, and giving part of it the denomination of St. Luke’s, in conformity to which act, a Glebe House Was erected on the Coombe, for the Vicar, who is nominated by the Chapter of the Cathedral, and the church of St. Luke erected not far from the Globe. The approach is through a long vista of elm trees, which gives more the idea of a village church, than a parish church in a large city. The principal entrance, which fronts the avenue, is through a large door-way, with rusticated columns on either side. The exterior is very plain, and the windows in the north side not being of equal dimensions, disfigure its general appearance.

The interior is 70 feet by 30; the walls and ceiling are without ornament, and a gallery, supported by pillars of scanty dimensions and mean appearance, is carried round the sides and west end of the church. At the east is a circular-headed window, too small in proportion to the size of the church, and below, an altar composed of heavy pannelled wood-work: the altar-piece represents a scarlet curtain drawn aside, and disclosing a glory, tolerably well painted. At the opposite end is an organ (the gift of a lady who has modestly concealed her name), which, though small, is remarkably well-toned.

Behind the church is a small cemetery. The only person of consequence interred here, is Mr. Justice Hellen, second Judge of the Court of Coommon Pleas in Ireland, who died in 1793, and was interred near the entrance, in the north side of the church.

There is a poor-school established here, by the Rev. W. O’Connor, to which Mr. Pleasants bequeathed 1,0001. The number of inhabitants’ in this parish is 6,686, all of the poorest classes of society; and so proverbial is this parish for its poverty, that the advertisement of the annual charity sermon is headed by the words, “The poorest. Parish in Dublin.” The number of houses is 480.

St. Mark’s Church, situated in Mark-street, to the east of Trinity College, is a capacious building, erected in 1729. It was cut off from St. Andrew’s by Act of Parliament, in 1707, and its foundation laid the same year with that of the Parliament House; the present Bank of Ireland.

The exterior exhibits no architectural ingenuity or taste. The interior, 80 feet in length by 30 in breadth, is extremely well disposed for the accommodation of numbers, not being divided into pews, as the other churches in Dublin, but laid out with benches with backs of pannelled oak, and with doors at the end of each row. The communion-table is placed in a concave recess, in the back part of which stand the pulpit and reading-desk. In the year 1821 an organ was erected, cased in oak.

Around the east, north, and. west sides of the church, extends the churchyard, crowded with tombs, which was lately much disused; owing to the nocturnal visits of the surgeons. In the belfry, over the vestibule, is suspended a large bell, one of the finest toned in the metropolis.

Divine service is celebrated in this church every day.

The population is estimated at 11,809, and the number of dwelling-houses at 867.

St. Stephen’s Chapel. - The great extent of St. Peter’s Parish, and its increased population, have called for the erection of new Chaplaincies; and accordingly, with the parental care of his diocese, which has peculiarly signalised the guardianship of his Grace the present Archbishop of Dublin, Chapels of Ease are, and have been, duly erected. The foundations are laid of a new church at Rathmines; and St. Stephen’s Chapel, in Upper Mount-street, was consecrated by his Grace this year (1825), both in St. Peter’s Parish.

This chapel, which is after a design by the late J. Bowden, Esq., is built in a masterly style of execution, by Messrs. Henry, Mullins, and M’Mahon, and at the moderate cost of 5,000l. under the superintendance of S. Welland, Esq., one of the architects to the board of First-Fruits. The building. measures 111 by 49 feet, and the apex of the dome is elevated 100 feet. The chancel is 66 feet long, by 44 in breadth, and has spacious galleries and a good organ. The beautiful little portico in front, which is of the Ionic order; is taken from the Temple of Minerva Polias at Athens. The belfry which rises immediately above the pediment, is borrowed from the octagon tower of Andronicus Cyrrhestes, and the cupola and pillars, after the monument of Lysicrates, also at Athens. The site, in the middle of a street, is unhappily chosen, as exposing the flanks, which are not architectural, and were meant to overlook a cemetery.