As Protestant congregations declined in the 19th and 20th centuries an attempt was made to keep churches open by uniting parishes.Įventually non-existent congregations forced the closure of many churches. However, most of the population remained Catholic.
The Church of Ireland was the established church and Protestantism the official religion here. For example, Kilkishen Church in County Clare in its active life of about 150 years performed a grand total of 20 marriages, 40 baptisms and 22 burials. In most cases the activities carried out in various churches was not very extensive. Following this about £1 million (€100 million in today’s money) was spent building over 700 Protestant churches, mostly on sites of centuries-old religious significance. Under the 1801 Act of Union, the Church of Ireland was united with the Church of England. When he began his research, Blake discovered all of the churches were Protestant. “I investigated them and thought they were worth exploring,” he recalls.
The photographer and historian has spent the last two years working on his latest book Abandoned Churches of Ireland, having previously compiled books about abandoned mansions and haunted buildings.īlake said his interest in abandoned churches was sparked after repeatedly noticing “half-ruined spires sticking out from behind trees and hedges”. TARQUIN BLAKE HAS a fascination with old Irish buildings – specifically if they’re abandoned.
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