Baltinglass, St.Mary's Church. The 19th century Gothic church dates from 1884, but there must have been an earlier church on the same site, as John MONTGOMERY wrote in his Reminiscences: "Baltinglass church is built on the ruins of an old convent destroyed by Cromwell. ..... The church is a beautiful building – the old walls around being one mass of ivy. The old castle was very much dilapidated. While I sat in my mother’s old family pew close to the pulpit I admired the large Gothic window under which was the Communion table, with its well turned oaken legs, the railings around which were of beautiful oak, and the cushions of dark purple colored velvet. The pulpit was of black oak, most beautifully carved out, and the pews and the galleries were likewise of the same material and workmanship. The organ was stationed above, protected by a high screen, behind which the choir sat, to accompany the instrument with their singing. There was no theatrical show, no brazen candlesticks, nor any other brass ornaments, nor any kind of unnecessary display, to distract and divert the attention of the pure Protestants."
Photo by Sue Mackay