MORE ABOUT TULLY CHURCH

Tully Church

Tully Church, also known as Séipéal na Tulaí, is an ancient church located in Laughanstown, County Dublin, Ireland. The original church structure dates back to the 6th–9th centuries AD. It was an important diocesan centre in the 1st Millennium AD and is referred to in early literature as Tulach na nEpscop (‘the Hill of the Bishops’). There is a legend that seven bishops started out from there to visit St Brigid at Kildare.

Architecture

The church was built in the Norman style in the late 12th century. The chancel, which is wider than the nave, was added in the late 12th or early 13th century by the Normans. The nave dates to the 13th century.

Current State

The church was in use up to about 1615. It was reported to be in good condition when inspected in 1615, but according to a report in 1630 had been badly damaged in recent storms. After that, it was abandoned and fell into ruin.

Crosses

There are two high crosses at the site. One cross stands on a plinth outside the church and the other is in a field opposite. These crosses may predate the stone church.