Built close to the shoreline of the river Shannon 210 years ago in 1812, only the three-stage tower remains of a little Church of Ireland church at Mount Trenchard, County Limerick. In the immediate grounds are the graves of Mary Spring Rice, a daughter of the second Lord Monteagle, who was among the group responsible for bringing a large number of rifles for the Irish Volunteers from Germany on board the Asgard in July 1914. Also buried here is her cousin, Conor O’Brien, grandson of William Smith O’Brien: a keen sailor, he also helped bring arms to Ireland at that time and then in 1923-25 circumnavigated the world in his yacht Saoirse. A plaque on the gateway into this peaceful little site records their names and those of others from the area involved in gun-running activities during the same period.
Amazing
Conor O’Brien was also a bellringer at St Patrick’s Cathedral in Dublin.
Makes a great ‘folly’ among the trees. A real one instead of created. Can you see the river from there- likely from the top? Could turn it into an attraction as a lookout if the interior was restored. But then again, might make it too attractive for juvenile pranks, etc.
I had never heard of Mary Spring Rice until your post. Did a quick search, what a brave woman she must have been! Thank you Robert.
This church was originally and still known as Loughill, as registered with the RCB. The tower was left standing as a landmark for boats on the river.
Love the blog!