Churches, chapels and a former village building offer different ways to explore Narraghmore’s history. The Church of the Holy Saviour is connected with the local Protestant community; traces of a chapel, a local tradition and events from 1649 and 1798 add further layers of history. The former Narraghmore Dispensary and the nearby village of Crookstown are also historical points of interest.
Churches, a Chapel and Local Tradition
The Church of the Holy Saviour in Narraghmore has considerable social and historical significance because it was funded for the local Protestant community. It is used as the Church of Ireland parish church. Its importance to the local community and its religious function therefore stand side by side.
A chapel was built in Narraghmore, and traces of it remain. Cromwell’s army destroyed it with a cannon in 1649. A local tradition links the founding of Narraghmore to St Patrick. This is a foundation story; the surviving traces of the chapel offer a different connection to the village’s earlier history. Religious history is thus reflected here both in an account of the village’s origins and in physical remains and a dated event.
The Former Narraghmore Dispensary
The former Narraghmore Dispensary is a prominent central building in the village and a local landmark. It was built around 1900 in the Tudor style. Its features include a decorative door surround, wooden sash windows and a slate roof. Its former use and architectural details give the village’s history a different focus from the religious traditions: here, the emphasis is on a former dispensary building with named architectural features. Together with its central location, these features make the dispensary a distinctive part of the village streetscape.
History in the Village and Surrounding Area
Narraghmore Courthouse was attacked by local members of the United Irishmen in 1798. During the 1798 Rebellion, a battle also took place at Pike Bridge, near Narraghmore. An event at the courthouse and a battle in the nearby area are therefore part of the same historical context, but took place in different locations. Another testament to the village’s history is the gate: it is the only surviving part of Narraghmore House.
Crookstown: A Separate Nearby Village
Crookstown is also nearby, but lies outside Narraghmore. The Church of Ss Mary and Laurence, the parish church of Narraghmore Parish, stands there. It is considered an impressive religious centre in the Hiberno-Romanesque style and has social significance for the surrounding region. The churchyard contains gravestones from various periods that are of artistic significance. Crookstown thus has its own location while retaining a clear connection to Narraghmore Parish. The church and its churchyard add to the village’s historical themes, though they are not in Narraghmore itself.
More to Explore in County Kildare
As a broader travel destination, County Kildare offers other distinct cultural and historical themes. In Celbridge, Castletown House stands in an eighteenth-century parkland setting on the banks of the Liffey. Today, the house holds a significant collection of paintings, furnishings and works of art. Donadea Forest Park offers a different historical connection: the park includes Donadea Castle and the estate that was the former home of the Aylmer family until 1935.
These County Kildare destinations offer different highlights: Castletown combines parkland with an art collection, while Donadea Castle and the Aylmer estate offer a connection to the family’s history. They are distinct additions to Narraghmore’s local history, not features of the village itself.
Discover more destinations: Kilcullen, Carbury, Kildangan, Celbridge, Moone, Calverstown, Maynooth, Clane
For the broader travel overview: County Kildare.
