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Posts tagged St. Mochta

Town of Dromiskin

Lying just two miles north of Castlebellingham, dromiskin was an important catholic centre from the time of St Patrick. During the 14th century this place was the residence of the archbishops of Armagh of whom one Milo Sweetman died here n 1380. The Danes of Annagassan used to plunder this early monastic centre which was later abandoned by the monks eventually taking refuge in St. Mochta’s of Louth. There remains a round tower surviving that period and stands in the churchyard of the Church of the Ireland Parish Church where once stood the monastery. The remains of a ringed-cross in the Celtic style and a carved 9th/ 10th century spiral pillar, part of the old church doorway also are visible here. The 15th century tower house of the Gernons of Milltown situates only a mile north west of this village.

Town of Louth

Now just a cluster of houses, once Louth was important enough to command national attraction. It is believed that the first church of Louth was constructed by St. Patrick and that St. Mochta was appointed the first Bishop there. The Bishops House, St. Mochtas House near this villageis a small 12th century building. This structure with its high-pitched roof of stone is still preserved. Of the two storey, the lower one is vaulted and the upper one can be accessed through a staircase built against the walls. There is another monastery, the St Mary’s Abbey near the village. This abbey the origin of which goes prior to the Anglo Norman times was renovated in 1148 by Donough OCarroll, the Prince of Oriel. The Mellifont abbey too has been endowed by this prince. This abbey has hosted an important synod in 1242 before it was consumed by fire in 1312 but rebuilt later. The present ruins are of a large church of 150 ft. by 50 ft. probably with a history going back to the 14th century.