Urney provides a place of peace
An oasis of calm in the centre of Cavan Town, the Urney Church of Ireland grounds provide passers-by with a tranquil space to escape the bustle of the day.
The Church of Ireland belongs to the parish of Urney and construction began on this beautiful building in 1807. The sandstone church was designed by John Bowden.
Rev Canon Mark Lidwill spoke of the heritage of the site: “With over 200 years of history it is a remarkable place. It’s a lovely space. We are trying to encourage biodiversity. We are letting the grass grow and making efforts to encourage the growth of windflowers. We leave the gate open if people want to wander in and enjoy the peace of the grounds.”
The church has a number of noteworthy features including the octagonal spire and the three-faced clock. The grounds of the church are surrounded by a sandstone wall.
As with any building that’s around for two centuries, there are challenges. “There is work that needs to be done,” Canon Lidwill tells.
“At present we are getting the railings painted, but we would like to undertake work on the walls.”
One monument on the church grounds is the sculpture dedicated to the Earl of Farnham and signed ‘Chantry London 1826’.
Maintenance and restoration are vitally important. Cannon Lidwill spoke of the support Cavan County Council has provided in this area: “They have been very generous to us. We have ongoing projects on the outside and inside of the the building. The heritage office of the council have been very good in supporting us.”
The first services in Urney Church of Ireland were held in the church on Christmas Day 1815. It could accommodate 850 people in the fine galleried interior, which included an upper gallery, used solely for the soldiers from Cavan Army Barracks.
All restoration work is in keeping with the heritage of the building. “We have just had work done on part of the inside of the church around the sanctuary. That had to be done in the traditional lime plaster. Everything takes a lot longer, and is more expensive because of the need to be faithful to the original materials. It is lovely to see it preserved properly,” the Canon told.
The church has a beautiful sense of space inside. Lord and Lady Farnham had a private pew, in the upper gallery, to the back of the Church and this is now being used as a room for Sunday School. Lord John James Maxwell, Lord Farnham and his wife are the only people to be buried in the Church Grounds as they donated the land.
The local Church of Ireland generously made the church available as a venue for a concert in the recent Cavan Arts Festival. Performer Iarla Ó Lionáird commented on the unique acoustics of the church and how it lent itself to performance.
Canon Lidwell says the maintenance of the historic structure is ongoing: “We have a number of projects lined up for the inside of the church, and we hope to have it painted soon, that is the next big job,” he concluded.