Lorum High Cross

About midway between Bagenalstown and Borris in Carlow lies the Church of the Good Shepherd in Lorum.

I actually have no recollection of how I found myself here other than I must have been travelling somewhere and come across it at some stage.

Described by the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage as a "Gothic revival Church of Ireland c.1838" it is a beautiful building which was unfortunately closed when I was passing.

The remains of some stone buildings standing at Lorum are mentioned by various sources as a previous 18th Century Church.

There is also mention of an older Church here which is apparently identified by a low mound with no surface remains visible.

Records indicate a Church at this site as far back as at least the 1300's so it's also probable than a previous early Christian era Church existed here and predated even the recorded Church from the 1300's.

Disputed historical references are made to Saint Las(z)arian who is mentioned as stopping here on his way back from Rome but what is apparent is that he does hold importance in the local area.

There were at least two Holy Wells located nearby of which one is dedicated to the Saint but I am unsure as to their present status and condition.

The outline and base of a Roundtower is purportedly to be found at Lorum but I didn't spot it on my short sojourn and the site was quite overgrown.

Lorum is associated with a presumed 6th Century Saint, Saint Darlugdach. She was a Nun who succeeded Saint Brigid at Kildare and who according to records died sometime between 520 and 525 C.E.