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Glann
Church |
 A map showing the Aughrim & Creagh Union |
Located five miles from Eyrecourt on the Ballinasloe Road, Clontuskert parish has it's roots in a 9th century settlement founded by St. Baetan sometimes known as Baodan. The monastic tradition was continued when in the12th century a priory of the Canons Regular of St. Augustine was established there. Turlough O'Connor. King of Connacht Founded the establishment while its principal patron was the O'Kelly family. A centre of great wealth and influence the foundation was destroyed by fire in 1413 but it was rebuilt and curiously survived the 16th Dissolution, and probably remained in operation until the Cromwellian Wars. In the interesting years the Canons were under the protection of the Earls of Clanrickard. |
Of the remains of the Priory the West Door is of most interest. Inscribed in Latin over the door are words when translated "Matthew by the grace of God. Bishop of Clonfert and Patrick O' Naughton. Canon of this house caused me to be built AD 1471." Experts in architecture suggests links between the masonary of St. Michaels, St. John The Baptist, St. Catherine of Alexandria nad St. Augustine from part of th elaborate decoration. Carvings of Angels, animals and mermaids further enhance the structure.
About St. Matthews: Dedicated to St. Matthew and located in the townland of Glan or Glanahaun, Clontuskert Parish Church was built in 1818, financed by a gift of £900 for The Board of First Fruits. A neat building with a spire of Hewn Stone and surronded by a graveyard the church internally is rectangular in shape and can accomadate one hundred people. The nearby Glebe House was built in 1820 by aid of a gift of £250 and a loan of £450. In 1862 the patrons of St. Matthew's were the Marquis of Clanrickard and the Bishop. By 1910 the parish was in union with Kiltormer and by 1942 it had become part of the Aughrim Union. |
 Glann Church |
Features of Interest:
Within the church a memorial tablet remembers Bedela Jones Cooke of Caugh who died in 1917 aged 97 years. The stained glass East Windows was erected in 1908 by means of a bequest from James Barr, a parishioner of St. Matthews who died in 1907. It depicts a Scriptual Scene. The wooden Prayer Desk and Pulpit were presented by the Seymour family while the two Santuary chairs also serve as memorials one being presened by the Sharpe family and the other being presented by the Cooke family.
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