St. Mary’s Church (in ruins)

St. Mary’s Church on Main Street, Delvin, is a dramatic ruin which has dominated the local landscape since the 14th century.

Evidence suggests that the building was not originally used as a church but instead as a defence post with the bell tower initially employed as a watch tower.

Over the years the building has been changed many times with neo classical and Gothic features clearly visible in its architecture. The church remained in use until the 1970s at which point the roof was removed and the building was left to the elements.

The church is a fascinating building which attracts camera yielding visitors all year round, keen to explore its derelict interior and to see if they can decipher the inscriptions on the tombstones in the overgrown church yard surrounding it. It is hoped that the grounds will be cleared in 2011 so that people can enjoy this important piece of Delvin’s heritage.