Churches of the past in and around Collinstown
In the parish of Collinstown and Fore we can trace the history of Christianity back to the 5th century.
There was a church and a graveyard known as the church of the “Lassar, the Virgin, of Cill Arcalgach on the brink of Lough Lene” dating from the 8th century, at a spot known as Caltragh. The level of the water in the lake has risen and the ruins of this church and graveyard can no longer be seen.
There is a tradition that there was a chapel or mass house at Gillardstown located two miles from Collinstown village, left of the Castlepollard road. There was a path to this place and it is still known as the Mass Path. A small font now in the Castlepollard Museum is said to have come from this chapel.
Monk’s or Madame’s Island which is located at the far shore of the lake from the Cut has the ruins of an old church, and a cemetery which was used in the last century.
During times of persecution, the hiding places of the Priests were on the Islands of Lough Lene and the Ben of Fore. Mass was said at dawn and the place where mass was said was changed constantly, so that the Priests would not be captured.
Though not a church, a community of nuns connected with the monastery of Fore had a house of retreat on one of the islands of Lough Lene. The island became known as Nun’s island. The nuns gave Collinstown its Irish name – Baile na gCailleach, which means the town of the veiled women.
The Church at Kilpatrick
The ruins of the church that can be seen today date from the 7th century. This church was one of many founded by St. Patrick across the midlands. The church was very small; it measures 20 ft. by 20 ft. with a doorway measuring 4 ft 4 inches by 6 ft. It is a very unusual 7th century church because it has a stone roof. A few hundred years later a Chancel was added, this is connected with the nave by an arch. The church was a two-storey building; the second storey was reached by a stone stairway on the right of the Chancel.
By the end of the 17th century, the church was used for Protestant worship.
There was a small penal day chapel 300 yards to the north of the old Church, no ruins remain, but the field where it was is known as Chapel field.
There are the remains of an old cemetery at Kilpatrick.
The Church Of Kilcumny
The ruins of the church at Kilcumny are of the Protestant faith. This church was built on the site of a Catholic Church, which was torn down in 1705. The church was built in 1765 and abandoned in 1811 when the present Church of Ireland church was built at Drumcree. John Weasley, the founder of the Methodist church preached to a large congregation at Kilcumny church in 1748.
The cemetery at Kilcumny is very unusual because both Catholics and Protestants are buried there. Protestant landlords and their families are buried in the same graveyard as Catholic priests and their parishioners. There are vaults in this cemetery.
St Mary’s Church Collinstown
Local tradition is that the present church of St Mary’s evolved through a series of renovations and improvements made since the late 1700’s. Fr. Michael Coughlan who became Parish Priest in 1837 renovated and redecorated the church.
The church was renovated again by Fr. Nicholas Woods who became Parish Priest in 1908. The gables were raised, a new front was added, a new floor, three new galleries, a new staircase, a new roof and a new ceiling were added at a total cost of £2,500. Dr. Gaughran dedicated the church to Our Lady under the title of Her Annunciation on 9th October 1910.
The church was again renovated in the mid 1970’s. Work carried out included: the installation of a new heating system, the building of a new altar, the replastering and painting of both the inside and outside walls. This work cost an estimated £22,000. Seamus Gibney of Mulllingar carried out the work on the altar and Edward Murtagh of Collinstown was the builder. Mass was held in Collinstown Hall while the building work was carried out. On Sunday 30th May 1976 the church was rededicated and reopened. Fr. Christopher Gibney was Parish Priest at the time.
The parish has a number of chalices, some dating back to the early 18th century.
The present cemetery in Collinstown was opened and blessed on the 9th October 1938. Before this cemetery was opened Kilpatrick and Kilcumney were the cemeteries used. Parish priests were buried on church grounds. The snowdrops were planted in the church grounds to commemorate Fr. Thomas Mulvany. St Mary’s Church Grotto was erected in December 1999 for the Jubilee Year 2000.
Until 1886 the priests of the parish of Collinstown made their home in the sacristy of the church. On the 18th September 1884 William B. Smythe leased the parochial grounds for 999 years to the Church. Work commenced on the building in May of 1885. Fr. Curry obtained a loan of £1,000 for the building of the house from the Board of Works. Electricity was installed in 1953. Fr. John Kiernan again renovated the house.
St Mary's Church
Parochial House and Grounds
St Mary's Church Bell
St Mary's Grotto
Snowdrops planted to commemorate Rev Mulvany
Jubilee Year Oak Tree
Churches of the Protestant Faith in the Parish
Drumcree Church
The present church in Drumcree was built in the early 1800’s. Bishop O’Byrne opened it in 1811. The church was built on a site donated by the Smyths. It was built at a cost of £756 with a loan from the Board of First Fruits. In 1818, it was joined to the parish of Killuagh. The last rector retired in 1962 and the church was joined to Castlepollard. In 1980 the church was closed against the wishes of the parishioners.
Collinstown Former Chapel of Ease
The Collinstown Former Chapel of Ease was built in the 19th century. It is now closed. The Board of First Fruits built it. One pew in the church came with a built-in fireplace. There are monuments to the Smyth family and the Monck sisters in the church.
Drumcree Church
Chapel of Ease