DOOLIN

Holy Rosary

Built by Fr. Thomas Healy in approximately 1821. A stone slab set in wall has the inscription:-"Pray for the soul of Rev. Thomas Healy, who after having governed this parish about ten years with paternal care and built this edifice at his own and the parishioners care and expense, died at the age of 48 years on the eve before Ash Wednesday 1830. May his soul rest in peace. Amen".

It was renovated in 1909 and was extensively renovated in 1973-74 (new altar, replastered internally and externally, new entrance porch, flooring, seating and confessional, central heating and lighting). Eleven modern stained glass windows were added. The P.P. at the time was Canon J. Tarpey and the builder was Michael McNamara of Lisdoonvarna. The architect was Michael Quaid of Bowman and Quaid, Galway.

The church was reroofed in 1994 with asbestos cement slates by Guerin and Considine.

LISDOONVARNA

Corpus Christi

Erected in 1868 by Rev. E. Power, P.P. It was built of limestone in the Gothic style and featured a long nave, chancel and an aisle on the south side. It also had a rectangular tower and belfry and contained seven marble altars, as Lisdoonvarna was a place where priests used to holiday in the past.

Simon J. Kelly was the architect for the 1958 renovation. The church was extended on the west side to take the new sanctuary which was originally where the present door and porch are located. The wooden structure which housed the bell was removed. The total cost of the reconstruction was £32,000. Michael McNamara of Lisdoonvarna was the builder. It was formally reopened on the 23rd August 1959.

KILSHANNY

St. Augustine

The site for the church was donated by Fr. Michael Varilly, who was parish priest of Kilshanny from 1831-1869. The church was built by Fr. Martin Me Gurran, who was parish priest from 1888 to 1919. He was a native of Leitrim and was a great collector of funds. He is buried in the church grounds. The contractor was Francis O'Donohue of Ennistymon. One workman was killed and another died of natural causes during the construction. The contractor himself died before the church was dedicated. The church was blessed by Bishop McCormack on the 11th November 1894. Dr. O'Dea, who was a professor in Maynooth at the time, preached the sermon.

The new church was provided with a full complement of pitch pine seats. These seats were auctioned by Fr. Me Gurran, who allocated pews positionally - according to amounts bid. The families who purchased seats were obliged to pay a yearly retention fee. This whole pew arrangement was later abolished by Bishop O'Dea.

The church was renovated in 1950 and rededicated on July 30th of that year.

In 1986, the slated roof was replaced by concrete tiles. The contractor was Guerin and Considine from Liscannor. A new three light stained glass window was endowed by Archdeacon Vaughan in 1995. The artist was George Walsh.

TOOVAHERA

Our Lady of Lourdes

The church was built in 1878 by Fr. Edmund Power, P.P. Lisdoonvarna (1859-J.   1909). Stewarts from Galway built the church. It was built in stages. The builders came to Me Inerneys forge in Ballyconnor with chisels to cut the stone. Part of the floor was earthen up until 1887.

The church is built of limestone, which is used only on the chancel and southern side, i.e. facing the road.

A stone was found at the site of an earlier church at Grady's Cross, Toovahera. It was inserted in the wall at the porch of the present church. The carving is of the crucifixion. It is in a style similar to a kind found in Egypt, dating back to the early Christian era.