Just outside Kilcar there are the ruins of a very old church.
Unfortunately only the west (270°) gable and short segments of the north and south walls survive.
In the west wall, which is 7.30 metres wide, there's a nice Gothic doorway. Inside the church, close to the south wall segment, there's a table tomb on which a bullaun stone has been placed.
Under the tomb, between the two west pillars, there's a small cross base. Other beautiful grave slabs can be seen in the graveyard. The inner sides of the walls still have the original plaster.
The church was originally founded by St. Cartha in the 7th century. The town got its name from the saint.
The saint is buried in this graveyard, along with Father James Carr, who had the Spanish church built, and the Spanish sailor who granted Father Carr the legacy to build two churches in his name.
It seems that these ruins are lit up at night by small sunlight powered LED lights. I wonder if they ever work, considering the weather of this area!
|