| St. Mary's Collegiate Church Youghal |
The church is likely to have been a monastic settlement of Saint Declan of Ardmore (c450). It was rebuilt in Irish Romanesque style (c750) and the Great Nave was erected in the year 1220. The early 13th century re-building was under the direction and hand of the Masters of four local guilds of operative masons whose marks are to be be found on the pillars of the gothic arches.
In 1464 St. Mary's was made a Collegiate Church, with the foundation of 'Our Lady's College of Yoghill' by Thomas, 8th Earl of Desmond. It was served by a Warden and Clerks consisting of eight Fellowes and eight choristers.
The famous Sir Walter Raleigh was Mayor of Youghal in 1588 and lived in the Warden's Residence (now known as Myrtle Grove).
In 1649, during the Commonwealth, Oliver Cromwell conducted his campaign from Youghal, and delivered a funeral oration from the top of the chest which is still preserved in the church
Large-scale works of restoration were carried out between 1851 and 1854. A restoration of a remedial nature was carried out between 1970 and 1973, and in the late 1980s the Lady Chapel was restored.
In recent years St. Mary's Collegiate Church was given the status of a National Monument of Ireland, a huge honor. In 2005 work began on the restoration of the ancient foundation of the Clerks Choral.
From 1464, the Church had a college attached, with 8 Fellows and 8 Singing Men or Clerks. This ancient choir is an ancestor of the current one. Today’s Clerks sing traditional Anglican Repertoire in the Collegiate Church throughout the year. For an updated listing upcoming concerts log onto: http://www.youghal.cork.anglican.org/clerks/choralservices.html
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| Church Street, Youghal |
| t: +353 (0) 24 20170 |
| w: www.youghal.cork.anglican.org/collegiatechurch/ |
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Gallery
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