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St Patrick's Parish

History | Churches | Graveyards | Holy Wells | Grottoes | Priests of the Parish

Brief Parish History & Geographical Location

The parish of St Patrick's was one of the five original medieval parishes of the city of Limerick. St Patrick's parish used to encompass the old parishes of Ballysimon/Derrygalvin and Kilmurry (now Monaleen). In 1704 St Nicholas' was a separate parish but by 1711 it had been joined with St Patrick's parish following the death of Fr Michael Dwyer. The church in Kilquane was also in the parish at Athlunkard.

In 1971, to accommodate the rising population in the area, Bishop Henry Murphy created the new parish of Monaleen from the area in the west of St Patrick's parish. The boundaries of St Patrick's parish were further reduced in 1981 when Bishop Jeremiah Newman created a new parish called Our Lady Help of Christians.

The population of the parish of St Patrick's is around 13,000.

In Medieval Limerick, there were five parishes in Limerick City; St John's, St Mary's, St Michael's, St Munchin's and St Patrick's.

In recent times, the boundaries of these parishes have been altered to form the following parishes:

St Mary's was divided into St Mary's and St Nicholas' (1991).
St Michael's was divided into St Michael's, Our Lady of Lourdes (1963), St Joseph's (1973) and St Saviour's (1973).
St Munchin's was divided into St Munchin's, Our Lady of the Rosary (1964), Christ the King (1970) and Corpus Christi (1976).
St Patrick's was divided into St Patrick's, Monaleen (1971), and Our Lady Help of Christians (1981).
St John's parish has not been altered.
St Paul's was formerly part of the parish of Mungret/Crecora and was created in 1971.
Our Lady Queen of Peace (1961) and Holy Family (1970) were formerly part of the parish of Donaghmore/Knockea.

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Churches

The present church of St Patrick's was built in 1816, during the tenure of Fr Patrick McGrath P.P. Most Rev. Charles Tuohy, Bishop of Limerick, dedicated it to St Patrick on August 25th 1816. This church is the oldest Catholic Church in Limerick City that is still in use today. It is a simple nave and transept stone church with a wooden ceiling. The church was renovated in 1835.

Outside the church on the left, there is a commemorative stone that was blessed by Fr John Keane CC, Ballindangan. It commemorates the first anniversary of his preaching of Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration with Mr Cathal Magee, the National Director of the P.E.A. This stone was unveiled on 12 March 1995.

Inside the church on the left there is a plaque to the memory of Archdeacon James Sadlier, who was parish priest of St Patrick's from 1976 until his death on October 19th 1992. There is also a picture of Pope John Paul II. A stained glass window of St Patrick is over the main entrance to the church.

The stained glass windows on the left-hand side of the nave depict the Sacred Heart and St Joseph. The Fitzgibbon family donated the window of the Sacred Heart. On the right hand side of the nave there are stained glass windows of the Immaculate Heart of Our Lady and St Brigid. The ceiling of the church is high and large wooden beams hold up the ceiling of the church. The Stations of the Cross are placed around the walls of the church.

There is a large crucifix on the stone wall above the high altar. The altar was donated by the Presentation nuns and includes statues of St Columba, St Munchin, St Patrick, St Bridget, St Ita and St Lelia. The Judgement scene is carved on the front of the altar. There is a mosaic of the Saviour in the image of the Lamb with a flag on the floor in front of the altar.

To the right of the altar there is a picture of Jesus of the Divine Mercy. Further right there is a statue of St Patrick. The celebrant's chair called the sedilla is also to the right of the high altar. To the left of the altar is the baptismal font, next to which is a picture of Our Lady of Perpetual of Succour.

Above a statue of the Sacred Heart in the right transept of the church, there is a stained glass window of St Ita. In the left transept there is a stained glass window of Blessed Oliver Plunkett, beneath which there is a statue of the Mother & Child.


St Brigid's church is situated on a hill off the N7. Bishop Newman dedicated the church to St Brigid on February 9th 1975. The church was built under the leadership of Fr David Rea PP. A notice inside the main door of the church states that the first church on this hill was built after the visit of St Patrick to the area in the fifth century.

The church consists of a nave and two transepts. Over the main door of the church there is a stained glass window of St Brigid, beneath which there is a picture of Pope John Paul II.

On the right of the nave there is a picture to the Sacred Heart. On the left hand side of the church there is a plaque, similar to that in St Patrick's, to the memory of Archdeacon James Sadlier. There is also a picture to Our Lady of Perpetual Succour.

In the left transept there is a statue to Mary and above which there is a stained glass window of St Brigid's cross. In the right transept there is a statue to St Joseph and a second stained glass window of St Brigid's cross. There is also a shrine to the Sacred Heart and a statue of the Child of Prague.

To the left of the altar there is a picture of the Immaculate Conception while to the right of the altar there is a picture of the Sacred Heart. There is a large crucifix to the left of the altar. There is a smaller crucifix in front of the altar.

The Harold family built the Pennywell church in 1750 that preceded the present church of St Patrick's.

At one time, there was a church in Singland that had a round tower but whether the tower was attached to the church or not is unclear. The church was 1 mile on the south side of the Dublin road entering the city. The tower and church were destroyed in the war of 1641. The Williamite soldiers used the stones from this church and tower in 1690 to construct battlements.


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Graveyards

To the left of St Brigid's church, there is a graveyard. This graveyard is in a state of disrepair. John Sexton erected the oldest headstone that we came across in memory of his father who died on April 24 1770, aged 60 and his mother who died on April 10 1771, aged 61. The names of the deceased do not appear on the headstone. Some of the headstones in the graveyard are impossible to read as the writing on the headstones have faded away due to the passage of time. There are also a number of tombs in the graveyard.

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Holy Wells

St Patrick's well is situated in Singland. Danaher described the well as being in 'a small field in which are the well, the round path and three natural rocks'. Today the well is surrounded by houses and is at the bottom of the hill on which St Brigid's church is situated.

Above the well, there is a statue to St Patrick, which was erected in 1904 by the priests and parishioners of the parish through public subscription. Behind the statue there is a plaque that lists the members of the committee responsible for the erection of the statue.

The three rocks are the stations at the well. Devotions still take place at the well and it is usually visited on March 17th. It is claimed that the water cures sore eyes. It is also believed that this is where St Patrick baptised Cairtheann, who was the son of Blatt and the Chief of the Dál gCais at this well in 440 AD.

According to legend, when St Patrick was building his church, he could not find any water to help in the construction. He prayed for water and the well sprang up. It is claimed that the print of his feet can be seen on one of the rocks at the well.

Begley states that in addition to the well in Singland, there was also a rocky bed where Patrick slept. Ruins were visible in the 1770s but nothing now remains.

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Grottoes

At the back of the graveyard at St Brigid's church, there is a grotto to the Blessed Virgin Mary. There are also grottoes situated at Fair Green, Reboge and behind the parish priest's house on the Dublin Road.

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List of Priests

Year Parish Priest Curate(s)
1704 - 1714 Malachy Ryan  
1714 - 1737 Unknown  
1737 - 1745 William Murphy  
1745 - 1760 Dr. James Kearney  
1760 - 1768 Denis Conway (Adm.)  
1768 - 1798 Michael Farrell  
1798 - 1804 William MacKnight  
1804 - 1812 Patrick O’Shea  
1812 - 1823 Patrick MacGrath  
1823 – 1837 Dr. Tuohy  
1837 Bishop’s Parish James Houlihan
    M. Murrane
    Patrick Quaid
1838 Bishop's Parish M. Murrane
    Patrick Quaid
1839 Bishop's Parish M. Murrane
    Patrick Quaid
1840 Matt O’Connor William Toomey
1841 Matt O’Connor George Bulter
1842 Matt O’Connor George Bulter
1843 Matt O’Connor George Bulter
1844 Matt O’Connor George Bulter
1845 Matt O’Connor M. Coghlan D.D.
1846 Matt O’Connor M. Coghlan D.D.
1847 Matt O’Connor M. Coghlan D.D.
1848 Matt O’Connor James Muhan D.D.
1849 Matt O’Connor James Muhan D.D.
1850 Matt O’Connor Richard Cooke
1851 Matt O’Connor Richard Cooke
1852 Matt O’Connor Richard Cooke
1853 Matt O’Connor Richard Cooke
1854 Matt O’Connor Richard Cooke
1855 Matt O’Connor Richard Cooke
1856 Matt O’Connor Richard Cooke
1857 Matt O’Connor Richard Cooke
1858 Matt O’Connor Richard Cooke
1859 Matt O’Connor Richard Cooke
1860 Matt O’Connor Fr Leahy
1861 Matt O’Connor Fr Leahy
1862 Matt O’Connor James Corbett
1863 Matt O’Connor Denis McCarthy
1864 Matt O’Connor Denis McCarthy
1865 Matt O’Connor Denis McCarthy
1866 P. Meehan D.D. Denis McCarthy
1867 P. Meehan D.D. Daniel Ryan
1868 P. Meehan D.D. Thomas Nealon
1869 P. Meehan D.D. Edward O’Dwyer
1870 P. Meehan D.D. Laurence O’Keeffe
1871 P. Meehan D.D. William Carroll
1872 P. Meehan D.D. J. Fitzgerald
1873 P. Meehan D.D. Joseph Keating
1874 P. Meehan D.D. Joseph Keating
1875 P. Meehan D.D. Joseph Keating
1876 P. Meehan D.D. Joseph Keating
1877 P. Meehan D.D. Joseph Keating
1878 P. Meehan D.D. Joseph Keating
1879 P. Meehan D.D Joseph Keating
1880 P. Meehan D.D. John Quinlan
1881 P. Meehan D.D. Daniel Daly
1882 P. Meehan D.D. Patrick McNamara
1883 P. Meehan D.D. Patrick McNamara
1884 P. Meehan D.D. Michael Mulcahy
1885 P. Meehan D.D. Michael Mulcahy
1886 P. Meehan D.D. Michael Mulcahy
1887 P. Meehan D.D. David Hanley
1888 P. Meehan D.D. David Hanley
1889 P. Meehan D.D. G. O’Connor
1890 P. Meehan D.D. Michael Murphy
1891 Joseph Bourke Daniel Brosnahan
1892 Joseph Bourke Daniel Brosnahan
1893 Denis Shanahan Jeremiah O’Gorman
1894 Denis Shanahan Jeremiah O’Gorman
1895 Denis Shanahan David O’Carroll
1896 Denis Shanahan David O’Carroll
1897 Denis Shanahan David O’Carroll
1898 Denis Shanahan David O’Carroll
1899 Cornelius Conway David O’Carroll
1900 Cornelius Conway David O’Carroll
1901 Cornelius Conway David O’Carroll
1902 Cornelius Conway David O’Carroll
1903 Cornelius Conway David O’Carroll
1904 Cornelius Conway David O’Carroll
1905 Cornelius Conway David O’Carroll
1906 Cornelius Conway David O’Carroll
1907 Cornelius Conway David O’Carroll
1908 Cornelius Conway David O’Carroll
1909 D. O’Driscoll David O’Carroll
1910 D. O’Driscoll David O’Carroll
1911 D. O’Driscoll Denis Fitzpatrick
1912 D. O’Driscoll Denis Fitzpatrick
1913 D. O’Driscoll Denis Fitzpatrick
1914 D. O’Driscoll Denis Fitzpatrick
1915 Michael Murphy James Carroll
1916 Michael Murphy James Carroll
1917 Michael Murphy James Carroll
1918 Michael Murphy James Carroll
1919 Michael Murphy James Carroll
1920 Michael Murphy James Carroll
1921 Michael Murphy James Carroll
1922 Michael Murphy James Carroll
1923 Michael Murphy James Carroll
1924 Michael Murphy James Carroll
1925 William O’Dwyer E. Hartnett
1926 William O’Dwyer J. Brassill
1927 Arthur O’Leary P. O’Callaghan
1928 Arthur O’Leary P. O’Callaghan
1929 Arthur O’Leary P. O’Callaghan
1930 Canon Arthur O’Leary P. O’Callaghan
1931 Canon Arthur O’Leary John Halpin
1932 Canon Arthur O’Leary John Halpin
1933 Canon Arthur O’Leary John Halpin
1934 Canon Arthur O’Leary James Culhane
1935 Canon Arthur O’Leary William Creed
1936 Canon Arthur O’Leary William Creed
1937 Canon Arthur O’Leary William Creed
1938 Canon Arthur O’Leary John Godfrey
1939 Canon Arthur O’Leary John Godfrey
1940 Canon Arthur O’Leary John Godfrey
1941 Michael Moloney John Godfrey
1942 Michael Moloney John Godfrey
1943 Michael Moloney John Godfrey
1944 Michael Moloney Patrick O’Regan
1945 Michael Moloney Patrick O’Regan
1946 Michael Moloney Patrick O’Regan
1947 James Cowper D.D. Patrick O’Regan
1948 James Cowper D.D. Patrick O’Regan
1949 James Cowper D.D. Patrick O’Regan
1950 James Cowper D.D. Patrick O’Regan
1951 James Cowper D.D. Patrick O’Regan
    Timothy Greene
1952 James Cowper D.D. Patrick O’Regan
    Eamonn Casey
1953 James Cowper D.D. Patrick O’Regan
    Eamonn Casey
1954 James Cowper D.D. Patrick O’Regan
    Eamonn Casey
1955 James Cowper D.D. Patrick O’Regan
    Eamonn Casey
1956 James Cowper D.D. Patrick O’Regan
    Michael Kennedy
1957 James Cowper D.D. Patrick O’Regan
    Michael Kennedy
1958 James Cowper D.D. Patrick O’Regan
    Michael Kennedy
1959 James Cowper D.D. Michael Kennedy
    P. G. Ryan
1960 James Cowper D.D. Michael Kennedy
    P. G. Ryan
1961 James Cowper D.D. Michael Kennedy
    P. G. Ryan
1962 David Rea Michael Kennedy
1963 David Rea Michael Kennedy
1964 David Rea Michael Kennedy
1965 David Rea Michael Kennedy
1966 David Rea Michael Kennedy
1967 David Rea Michael Kennedy
1968 David Rea Michael Kennedy
1969 David Rea Michael Kennedy
1970 David Rea Michael Kennedy
1971 David Rea Michael Kennedy
    Edward Looby
1972 David Rea Edward Looby
1973 David Rea Edward Looby
1974 David Rea Edward Looby
1975 Gerard Griffin Edward Looby
1976 Gerard Griffin Edward Looby
1977 James Sadlier Edward Looby
1978 James Sadlier Christopher Griffin
1979 James Sadlier Christopher Griffin
1980 James Sadlier Christopher Griffin
1981 James Sadlier Christopher Griffin
1982 James Sadlier Michael Hanley
1983 James Sadlier Michael Hanley
1984 Canon James Sadlier William Walsh
1985 Canon James Sadlier William Walsh
1986 Canon James Sadlier William Walsh
1987 Canon James Sadlier William Walsh
    Patrick Liddane
1988 Canon James Sadlier William Walsh
    Patrick Liddane
1989 Canon James Sadlier William Walsh
    Patrick Liddane
1990 Canon James Sadlier William Walsh
    Patrick Liddane
1991 Canon James Sadlier William Walsh
    Patrick Liddane
1992 Venerable James Sadlier William Walsh
    Patrick Liddane
1993 Venerable James Sadlier William Walsh
    Patrick Liddane
1994 Patrick J. O’Donnell Liam Walsh
    Patrick Donovan
1995 Patrick J. O’Donnell Liam Walsh
1996 Patrick J. O’Donnell David Gibson
1997 Patrick J. O’Donnell David Gibson
    Antóin Ó Tuathaigh
1998 Patrick J. O’Donnell Michael Daly
    Michael Hanley
1999 Padraig Fitzmaurice Michael Daly
    Michael Hanley
2000 Edwin Irwin Michael Hanley
    Terence O'Connell
2001 Edwin Irwin Michael Hanley
    Terence O'Connell
2002 Edwin Irwin Michael Hanley
    Terence O'Connell
2003 Edwin Irwin Michael Hanley
    Terence O'Connell
2004 Edwin Irwin Michael Hanley
    Terence O'Connell
2005 Edwin Irwin Michael Hanley
    Terence O'Connell
2006 Edwin Irwin Chris O'Donnell
    Terence O'Connell
2007 Edwin Irwin Terence Loughran
    Terence O'Connell

The list of Priests from 1704 to 1836 is compiled from information gained in Begley's History of the Diocese of Limerick Vol. III page 598. The remaining years are compiled from the Catholic Directories. Information contained in a directory of any given year refers to what happened the previous year. For example if a priest is recorded in the 1954 directory as being in a particular parish, this would mean that he was actually there in 1953.

History | Churches | Graveyards | Holy Wells | Grottoes | Priests of the Parish

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