About Us

Brief History

Ardagh-Carrickerry is a parish in west County Limerick. The parish is bounded to the west by the Athea, to the north by the parish of Coolcappa, to the east Rathkeale and to the south by Newcastlewest.

Ardagh was an important centre in medieval times. It was once a manor belonging to the Bishop of Limerick. With the development of Newcastle West, Ardagh’s importance began to decrease. In 1981 a large hilltop fort, covering 52 acres, was discovered in the townland of Ballylin, a mile north-west of Ardagh. It is the largest ring fort found in Ireland so far.

The Ardagh Chalice was discovered in September 1868 by two men digging potatoes in a ring fort in Ardagh. The Ardagh Chalice is Ireland’s foremost treasure and is currently housed in the National Museum of Ireland and is considered the `Jewel in the Crown’ of all exhibits there. The beautifully proportioned Ardagh Chalice is the finest example of eighth century metalwork.

Ardagh Church

Carraigkerry Church

Graveyards

Ardagh Graveyard

There are three cemeteries in the parish, Rathronan, Kilscannell and Ardagh graveyard. Ardagh graveyard is located behind Ardagh church. An altar was built at the upper end of the graveyard adjoining the church in Ardagh as part of a FÁS scheme. Mass is said here in November. The oldest headstone in the graveyard marks the grave of a former Bishop of Limerick, the Rt. Rev. Robert De Lacy. Bishop Lacy was made a bishop by Pope Clement XII in 1737 and died on August 4th 1759. Bishop Lacy is buried in the family vault, which is actually inside the old church ruins.

Pastoral Care

The Roman Catholic Church of Ireland comprises of geographical areas called Dioceses. Limerick Diocese is divided into Pastoral Units with teams of clergy ministering in each unit. The Diocese of Limerick is under the pastoral care of Bishop Brendan Leahy.
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Ardagh / Carrigkerry Parish is part of Our Lady’s Pastoral Unit consists of a cluster of four parishes namely Ardagh/Carraigkerry, Mahoonagh, Monegea and Newcastle West.

Each Parish has its own Parish Pastoral Missionary Team (PPMT) formally known as the Pastoral Council. Members of the PPMT consist of laity from the parish under the guidance of a local priest. Meeting are normally held monthly to discuss matters relating to he nurturing of faith in the local community.

Members from the local PPMT are put forward by the PPMT to take up positions on the Unit Pastoral Council committee. Meeting of the Unit Pastoral Council usually takes place monthly. Discussion is centred around initiatives for supporting and growing the faith among the communities of our local parishes.

We welcome suggestions on initiatives you believe we should take to continue to grow our parish in faith and fellowship with one another.