St. Colman's Church, Gort Explained

The Church of St. Colman is a Roman Catholic parish church located in the town of Gort in County Galway. Built in 1825 in a Gothic style,^[1] it was altered and extended in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and is listed on the Record of Protected Structures by Galway County Council.^[2] The church is in the parish of Gort & Beagh in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Galway, Kilmacduagh and Kilfenora.^[3]

History

The local landowner, John Prendergast-Smyth (later Viscount Gort), gave the site to Dr. Edmund Ffrench, Bishop of Kilmacduagh.^[4] The church, the design of which is associated by several sources with the architect James Pain,^[5] commenced construction from 1825 and was dedicated on 6 September 1829.^{[2] [5]}

The chancel and sacristy were built and a tower and spire added .^[2] Several of the 19th century later alterations are attributed to the architect William Hague, while Ralph Byrne was involved in additional works in the 1930s.^[1]

See also

• St. Colman's Church, Claremorris, County Mayo

Notes and References

1. Web site: Saint Colman's Church, Market Square, Church Road, Ballyhugh, Gort, Galway . buildingsofireland.ie . National Inventory of Architectural Heritage . 7 November 2022 .
2. Web site: Record of Protected Structures . Galway County Council . Galway County Development Plan . May 2021 . 7 November 2022 .
3. Web site: Parish of Gort & Beagh . galwaydiocese.ie . 7 November 2022 .
4. Web site: Saint Colman's Church, one of a pair of churches by Pain in Gort, Co Galway . patrickcomerford.com . 21 June 2021 . 7 November 2022 .
5. Web site: Works - Co. Galway, Gort, Church Of St Colman (RC) . Irish Architectural Archive . Dictionary of Irish Architects . 7 November 2022 . Name: PAIN, JAMES [..] Building: CO. GALWAY, GORT, CHURCH OF ST COLMAN (RC) [..] New church [..] Dedicated 6 Sep 1829.