Killeshin Church

Killeshin Church is a Romanesque structure built from granite and limestone featuring intricate animal carvings throughout its stonework. Its main archway displays Scandinavian-influenced knotwork patterns that reflect the artistic connections of the region.

The monastery was founded in 545, but the current church structure rose between 1150 and 1160 as a major rebuild. This construction survived the centuries and became the main testimony to the site's medieval heritage.

The name Killeshin comes from the Irish "Cill Sheine," referring to Saint Sheine to whom the original monastery was dedicated. The inscription at the church door honors a regional ruler and shows how closely this place was connected to Irish nobility.

The site sits roughly 8 kilometers west of Carlow and is open for visitors wanting to view the west and east gables and north wall. Morning hours offer the best light for seeing the carved details in the stonework.

A round tower once stood at this site until 1704, when a landowner had it demolished. This loss left the church as the only standing structure from what was once a much larger medieval complex.

Location: County Laois

GPS coordinates: 52.84749,-7.00146

Latest update: December 9, 2025 20:26