ST. BRIDGET'S CHURCH, Lisminton, Ballintra (R.C.) ~ Built 1845
St. Bridget's Church, Ballintra.
St. Bridget's Church stands on a hill and given it's height is an impressive building. It is a large church for the area it serves which is said to indicate that there must have been numerous wealthy families in the area in the mid 19th century when it was built, who probably contributed to its construction.
It was the Parish Priest of Drumhome, Fr. Daniel Kelly, who had this church built and there is a plaque commemorating him in the entrance hall which reads: "The Rev. Father Daniel Kelly P.P. for 25 years Pastor of Drumhome. Died 19th April 1866. Aged 60 years. This church alone, which he commenced and completed, bespeakes his zeal for God's House and the general interests of religion. R.I.P."
The sandstone plaque above the main entrance reads
"St. Bridget's 1845
Reverend Daniel Kelly
Pastor
James McKenna
Stranorlar
Builder"
In the entrance hall there is a large statue of St. Bridget with her prayer on the wall beside her statue. The prayer reads: "Prayer to St. Bridget, Mary of the Gael. Lord you inspired in St. Bridget such wholehearted dedication to your work, that she is known as Mary of the Gael. Through her intercession, bless this country, may we follow the example of her life and be united with her and the Virgin Mary in your prescence, through Christ our Lord. Amen."
Another plaque on the wall in the entrance hall reads: "In memory of the Revd. Daniel Ivers C.C. who died in this parish on the 28th of August 1865, aged 40 years. Pray for the repose of his soul."
It was the Parish Priest of Drumhome, Fr. Daniel Kelly, who had this church built and there is a plaque commemorating him in the entrance hall which reads: "The Rev. Father Daniel Kelly P.P. for 25 years Pastor of Drumhome. Died 19th April 1866. Aged 60 years. This church alone, which he commenced and completed, bespeakes his zeal for God's House and the general interests of religion. R.I.P."
The sandstone plaque above the main entrance reads
"St. Bridget's 1845
Reverend Daniel Kelly
Pastor
James McKenna
Stranorlar
Builder"
In the entrance hall there is a large statue of St. Bridget with her prayer on the wall beside her statue. The prayer reads: "Prayer to St. Bridget, Mary of the Gael. Lord you inspired in St. Bridget such wholehearted dedication to your work, that she is known as Mary of the Gael. Through her intercession, bless this country, may we follow the example of her life and be united with her and the Virgin Mary in your prescence, through Christ our Lord. Amen."
Another plaque on the wall in the entrance hall reads: "In memory of the Revd. Daniel Ivers C.C. who died in this parish on the 28th of August 1865, aged 40 years. Pray for the repose of his soul."
Stained glass panel St. Bridget's
The present church stands on, or near, the ground where an earlier church once stood. In the first edition of the Ordnance Survey 6" map sheet in 1836 this old church appears where it is described as a "large plain chapel".
This stained glass panel, part of the stained glass window above the entrance door seems probable that it is a depiction of that old church.
This stained glass panel, part of the stained glass window above the entrance door seems probable that it is a depiction of that old church.
