PAUL ARNOLD ARCHITECTS

This simple but elegant church was designed by the ecclesiastical architect Joesph Welland to replace the medieval church associated with St. Oliver Plunket located on the Naper estate at Loughcrew. In 1843 a new church was built on a site within the historic demesne adjacent to the Oldcastle Road. The architect J. F. Fuller rebuilt the chancel in 1904. Following its deconsecration, it was sold in 1998 and 2001.1 It was sold again in 2003, and acquired by its current owners in 2006.
Lewis in his Topographical Dictionary of Ireland of 1837 records the earlier church associated with St. Oliver Plunkett in his account of Loughcrew “The church is an ancient structure, for the repair of which the Ecclesiastical Commissioners have lately granted £181.” The current structure had not been built by this time.