Holy Cross Church, Killeshin

History

Holy Cross Church was completed in 1821 to the design of the architect Thomas Cobden. It was dedicated by James Doyle, then Bishop of Kildare and Leighlin, eight years before Catholic Emancipation came about with the passing of the Catholic Relief Act in 1829.

The building

The church is described as a modest but spacious building of stone and brick. It stands at the foot of the Killeshin hills, and Lewis described it as standing on an artificial mound. The windows are Gothic in style, and there are octagonal towers at each corner of the building.

Notable people

Thomas Cobden lived in Carlow for a number of years and designed public buildings, private residences and churches in the Carlow and Wexford area. In Carlow town these included the Roman Catholic cathedral, St Mary's Church of Ireland and Scott's Church.

James Doyle, known as JKL from James, Kildare and Leighlin, had served with Wellington's army during the Peninsular Campaign of the Napoleonic Wars. As bishop he was a campaigner for Catholic Emancipation.