The spectacular Medieval Port town of New Ross contains so many wonderful buildings from many eras of its long and distinguished past but one of the most significant historical architectural features of this beautiful Town is The Church of Saint Mary’s.
The ruins of this magnificent ecclesiastical building are located in a romantic and prominent position on Mary Street of New Ross proudly overlooking the River Barrow from its vantage point, where it has stood since its inception in 1210.
One of Ireland’s most famous and historic Churches that was constructed by two of the medieval world’s, most famous and important characters, William Marshal and Isabel de Clare.
It is thought that Saint Mary’s Church was constructed on the site of what was the original religious site in this area, a monastery that was established in the 6th Century, by Saint Adden.
This magnificent Church has seen every era in New Ross’s life and development since its inception, with numerous phases, with eras of decline and rebirth all encompassed into this wonderfully located architectural gift.
Completed in 1210 this magnificent Church, was built by William Marshal and his wife Isabel de Clare, it was to be the jewel in the crown of their new port town which was to become one of the greatest financial successes of their empire in the Medieval Norman world.
Building this Church meant that they intended this town and building to last for their future generations of heirs and was built to withstand the ravages of time.
It was to be a symbol of the steady and thriving spirit of the area where it resides. The building of a Church of this magnitude was a symbol of their power, wealth and of their personal success, as well as the forthcoming confidence in the success of their new venture.
Their goal was to make New Ross one of the countries most successful ports, a task that they succeeded in and New Ross would be one of Ireland’s busiest ports for centuries to come.
The importance this wonderful building was that it enabled Isabel to make her own mark on the land that she was connected to, her blood flowing with the spirits of Ancient Irish Kings and some of the strongest and most powerful women in history, a tradition that she would proudly carry on through her daughters.
Saint Mary’s Church was said to be a labor of love for Isabel and that she herself had much influence and input in its design and construction.
Isabel unlike her husband was literate and would have been able to communicate with architects and builders her own ideas for the design and construction of a major Church within the heart of her homeland.
Isabel commanded a respect that was rare in a period in history that was dominated by male influence and dominance.
She was a woman who was aware of her own talents and was not afraid to give her opinion freely on matters that she held dear to her own heart.
It is fair to say that Saint Mary’s is one of the finest Churches from the Early Medieval period in Ireland and is the largest Parish Church from this period in Ireland’s history.
The inception of this magnificent church and its wonderful architecture is a sight to behold and the story of the woman who built it makes this on of the most important and special sites in Ireland’s Ancient East. Situated on a vantage point overlooking the River Barrow, Saint Mary’s Church is a constant reminder of the a golden age in the distinguished history of New Ross.
Saint Mary’s Church is an example of a labor of love with outstanding results.
One of the finest churches in Ireland and is the largest Parish Church from the medieval period in Ireland.
It is also home to one of these countries most exquisite examples of medieval architecture.
Not all aspects of this magnificent building date for the 13th Century.
The original Nave of the church was demolished in 1813, and the building on this part of the site dates from this period.
Areas of the medieval building contain some of Ireland’s finest and best-preserved collection of funerary architectural features.
The Chancel of Saint Mary’s Church contains architectural features including magnificent lancet windows The Chancel also holds several medieval cross slabs and a decorated tomb canopy, which covers 2 well preserved and magnificent medieval grave slabs.
One of these grave scabs shows a depiction of a cross with the depiction of the “Agnus Dei” also called the Lamb of God, which is a symbol that is commonly associated with the burial of a Templar Knight.
The Knights Templar were figures that would have graced these walls.
They had a permanent settlement not far from New Ross on the Hook Peninsula, in Temple Town, which is home to the famous Temple Church. It is historically feasible that a Templar Knights would have been buried at this location of extreme prominence and prestige.
It is also important to remember that William Marshal fought in the Crusades in the Holy Land and by the side of Templar Knights, giving his oath that he would one day join the order of Templar Knights.
An oath that he carried out on his deathbed when he took the oath and orders of the Knights Templar and is interred at one of the orders most infamous and prominent locations, Temple Church in London.
The second grave slab depicts the image of a baby flanked by his parents, this has become known as the Bambino Stone.
The South Transept of St Mary’s is situated by the entrance to the northmost end of the eastern wall.
It contains 2 beautiful side chapels and 3 magnificently decorative lancet windows.
With the remains of the medieval stairs that leads to the medieval barreled vault that is still visible, this was to become the mausoleum for members of the Tyndall family.
There are examples of medieval effigies throughout the interior which also features some of the finest medieval stonework and carving that can be found anywhere in the medieval world.
The North Transept is located through the entrance that is situated on the eastern wall like the south transept it also contains three lancet windows.
The niche at the aft end of the Transept contains an effigy that is now headless.
This transept is full of wonderful medieval carvings and exquisite stonework and including its carving of a medieval ship, possibly inspired by one of the ships that would have brought goods to and from the port of William Marshal and Isabel de Clare.
It is said in Legend that this is where the heart of Isabel de Clare now rests, there is a cenotaph holding the inscription Isabel Lagen. It is a romantic notion to think that she is now back in the land that she loved with all her heart.
To enter the Church of Saint Mary’s in New Ross which is now under the protection of the Irish Office of Public Works, you can obtain a key from the town hall with a deposit.
The town hall is situated on the corner of Quay Stree and South Street, New Ross.