As Saint Canice’s Church celebrate their Bi-Centenary in 2024, Kilkenny man Paddy Neary takes a look at the church and its history
By Paddy Neary
It appears most probable that all the Catholic chapels of St. Canice’s parish, from the time of the Reformation down to the early part of the 19th Century, were situated North of the present parish church, in the garden of the Presbytery. In 1678, Bishop Phelan presented to the Sacred Congregation of Propaganda a “Relatio” that each of the four parishes into which Kilkenny City was divided, had an oratory or chapel of its own, be fittingly adorned as far as the circumstances of the times permitted. The chapel that served for St. Canices was the “aedes” built by Fr. Kavanagh, P.P. before 1682, and referred to on a slab inserted in the wall opposite the hall door of the Presbytery. It is inscribed in Latin, the translation reads as follows:-.
James Kavanagh, priest built this house. May he enjoy a house in Heaven. He was Prebendary of Tiscoffin and P.P. of the Cathedral Church of St. Canice, died Sept. 26th 1682. The word “aedes” in the inscription denotes a dwelling house, so it would appear that it was used in the sense to signify a church or temple. According to Returns on the State of Popery in 1731, there was “one Old Mass House” in St.Canice’s Parish. A fragment of a slab in the Presbytery garden, contained part of an inscription reading “Pat Murphy 1747,” probably commemorates the rebuilding in the year given, one half of the old parish chapel, which Dr Burke refers to in one of his letters. Fr. Patrick Murphy was P.P from 1741 to 1774. This chapel of Fr. Murphy’s time continued in use until about 1830, when it was superseded by the present parish church. The old chapel was taken down almost to the ground soon after. Some fragments of the wall were to be seen in the early part of the 1900s. The present church was started by Fr. James Gorman P.P. and was completed by his nephew and successor Very Revd, Dean Gorman. A stone inscribed in Latin on the left side of the front door as one enters reads. Translation: Revd. James Gorman P.P. of the Parish of St Canices 17th March 1824.I made reference earlier to the half built church. The following are a few lines taken from Bishop Burke/De Burgo’s Diocesan Register January 1767. “Whereas the chapel of St Kenny’s in Kilkenny was rebuilt some years ago as to one half, but the other half left in a ruinous condition, in so much as it is constantly in danger of falling. I have repeated times admonished the Parish Priest and several of the Parishioners to exert themselves towards finishing the same. My admonitions have hitherto gone unnoticed and ineffectual. Hence both for the decency of the house of God and to save people’s lives and limbs, I solemnly interdict the said Chapel from the first day of November next, hereby forbidding any Mass to be celebrated therein under pain of suspension to be incurred by the priest on or after the said day of November to be shut up unless it is completely rebuilt before that day. This reasonable length of time is allowed that the money requisite may be collected in the Parish and the work done without hurry. Furthermore I command this paper to be read with an audible voice by every priest before the end of his Mass in said Chapel for three Sundays after the date hereof and on every first Sunday of the month till the mentioned of November.”
Given AT Kilkenny this 16th Jan. 1767 Thomas de Burgo. Saint Canices Parish Church 1824 A.D
In 1731 only a Mass house served the needs of the Parishioners. This building was rebuilt in 1747 as a chapel. Concern for a new church took root from 1820. On the 18th March of that year some parishioners met in the old chapel and agreed to build a new church. Replacing the old chapel which was too small, and in a very bad state of decay.
A general meeting of all parishioners was held one week later and all agreed to plan ahead for a new church. Fund raising began by way of collections from householders and land owners in the town and country. Collections received each week were recorded under the headings Town Collections and Country Collections. Donations towards the cost were also invited.
A site opposite the old chapel at an area called Coolree, the property of the Hon Joseph Pratt and Viscount Duncannon was deemed the most suitable location for the new Church. On March 25th 1822 this land was leased at a rent of £40 per year. This lease was later purchased outright in 1891.It was agreed that materials should be procured in the locality. Stone to be quarried from Holdensrath and sand to be raised at Kilcreene. The owner of the stone, and sand. Sir William Montmorency, was very favourably disposed to this parish project.
The plan for the new Church drafted by the Kilkenny Architect William Robertson, was considered at a meeting of all Parishioners on April 7th 1822 and adopted. The life and work of William Robertson is well documented (O.K.R. 2018) he was an architect, artist and builder. Born in High Street, later lived in William Street, Orchardton House, and finally Rosehill House where he died in 1850.He was best known for his remodelling of Kilkenny Castle in 1826. His work is to be seen everywhere around the city and county. A few examples of his work include (renovation) of St Canices Cathedral and St Mary’s Church, he designed churches in Ennisnag, Clomantagh, Knocktopher, Ballytobin, he restored part of Gowran Abbey. Robertson drew up the plans for Kilkenny County Gaol, the Court House, Evans Home, Kilkenny and Carlow workhouses. Cork Gaol. Jenkinstown House, the original gates and entrance were salvaged and repositioned in front of St Kierans College. The list goes on and on.
PART TWO NEXT WEEK
