Saint Audoen's Medieval Church, Dublin

Situated in both the heart of Dublin and the heart of Old medieval Dublin is a building that some claim to be the only remaining medieval Parish Church in Dublin.

 

Presumably the incorrect blurb on various tourism sites is meant to actually say it is the oldest medieval Church in Dublin still operating and open for Worship. This is Saint Audoen's Church, believed to be named in honour of Saint Ouen in France.

It was constructed c. 1190 and replaced an earlier Church on the same site. Saint Audoen's is an example of an early Norman Church in Ireland. 

The Normans had arrived c. 1169 at the request of the deposed King of Leinster Dermot MacMurrough and were sent by Henry II.

 

The arrival of the Normans in Ireland foresaw a greater influence of the Church in Rome over Irish Ecclesiastical life which previously had been based on a scattered and independent Monastic tradition. It accelerated the influence of the large and organised continental "orders".

The Church is situated beside the junction of Bridge Street and High Street in Saint Audoen's Park. It houses a small yet comprehensive and delightful self contained Interpretive Centre/Museum.

This area of Dublin is called the Liberties. It got this name through the granting of different rules, regulations and jurisdiction from the rest of the City and independence and exemption from certain types of taxation. There were other Liberties in Dublin and indeed in other parts of Ireland.

It really is the medieval heart of Dublin and surrounded by streets with names such as Fishamble Street, Winetavern Street, Cook Street, Cornmarket Street, Lamb Alley and Bull Alley. I'm getting hungry just listing the streets.

Saint Audoen's medieval Church is located beside the larger Saint Audoen's Catholic Church which is now the chief place of worship for the Polish community in Ireland. 

This imposing Church is described as having a Tetrastyle Portico which is just a way of saying a four columned Portico.

It is only a short walk of about 200 metres from Christ Church Cathedral and Dublinia interactive Museum. Unlike either Christ Church or Dublinia, as of 2022 entrance to the wonderful Saint Audoen's medieval Church and Museum is still Free.

There are lots of things of note to see at Saint Audoen's and plenty to hold the interest for quite some time.

There is what appears at first sight to be an Effigy Tomb of Knight Roland FitzEustace, Baron Lord Portlester and his wife Margaret D'Artois (Jenico) here. 

It is in fact a cenotaph which is a monument to someone buried elsewhere and it was moved here from the ruins of the adjoining Portlester Chapel. Neither Roland FitzEustace nor his wife Margaret are buried here.

There are very few accessible medieval ruins in Dublin so the Portlester Chapel is something of a rarity for the City and an often overlooked attraction.

Access to the Portlester Chapel is gained through Saint Audoen's Church itself to which it is joined.

There is often a dog at the feet of these Knights and such it is with Roland FitzEustace. His hound too is also carved onto the effigy. 

As a a dog person I am always touched at such a nice gesture to our four legged friends. The Normans obviously held their hounds in high esteem and many were probably capable and able hunting dogs. 

Roland FitzEustace, Baron Lord Portlester is in actual fact buried at a ruined Franciscan Church he established at New Abbey in Nicholastown in Kildare where parts of his tomb are still to be found and which also includes a similar effigy of both he and his wife. The Effigy is in an upright enclosure against a wall.

The place of death of his wife Margaret D'Artois (Jenico) is listed as Saint Audoen's Church however her burial place is listed as New Abbey alongside her husband Roland. 

Some sources do however list her burial place as the Portlester Chapel in Dublin but they are not definitive.

There is a further Effigy in the Tower at Saint Audoen's which is that of an unknown ecclesiastical figure. Unfortunately my poor photograph does it little by way of justice. 

It may be an Effigy of a Monk, Bishop, Friar or Priest. I don't think anyone knows who it actually represents but the most likely candidate is an unknown Bishop.

The "Lucky Stone" is also on display here and is believed to originally be either a Pilgrimage Waymarker or an Early Christian grave marker. The latter explanation seems most likely. On the front face is carved a Cross surrounded by concentric circles.

It is constructed of Granite and legend has it that when it was stolen in the early 1800's the stone got heavier and heavier as the thieves made their getaway until the horse carrying it finally collapsed under the weight of the stone.

In 1308 some type of Marble Drinking Font or Well was built just outside the Church for the local citizenry and the Lucky Stone is recorded as being placed beside it. It has been rubbed or kissed for luck by Dubliners for perhaps well over a millennium.

As well as the ruins of the Portlester Chapel and the Bell Tower Saint Audoen's Church also includes Saint Anne's Chapel which was a Chapel of the Guild of Saint Anne. 

Saint Anne's Chapel is the working Chapel for Worship and is a beautiful building steeped in history.

The Church contains many historic artefacts and some beautiful and well preserved Memorial Slabs and Gravestones which are very clearly legible.

The various Slabs are so clear that it is easy to read them and distinguish and decipher the different form of lettering used centuries ago in the English language.

Below is the Seal of the Guild of Saint Anne and an information board in the Church describing the various Guilds and their Coats of Arms. 

There would have been many other streets surrounding the Church with names which described the activities that took place on the street and many of these activities, business's and employments would have had their own Guild.

The crude device below is an early medical device used for the medieval version of Brain Surgery called Trepanning and is in the collection at Saint Audoen's.

Basically a hole would be drilled into your skull to either relieve a build up of pressure or to let out evil spirits. Thankfully we are not medically treated for the removal of evil spirits in the 21st Century.

The Font at Saint Audoen's Church has a date of 1192 carved onto it in Arabic numerals and was rediscovered in the wall of the Porch in the mid 1800's.

It had been placed there during restoration work, its historic value probably overlooked.

I think I can only describe the Guild Chapel of Saint Ann as a little wonder and and a complete and utter gem. Its beauty at times seems to stem from its small, compact and intimate form. Big is not always better.

If you are in Dublin and thinking about visiting Christchurch, Dublinia or Saint Patrick's Cathedral don't forget the often overlooked Saint Audoen's Church named in honour of Saint Ouen of Rouen. 

In France there is a huge Abbey Church which is named in his honour.

Keep the Wheels turning...

Some Pottery shards and early Tiles on display in the Church.