The newest St. Munchin’s Church (Church of Ireland) was built in 1827. It stands as a testament to Gothic architectural style, designed by George and James Pain. The church’s distinctive four pinnacles atop its tower give it a unique and distinguished appearance.
Located on King’s Island, between the Bishop’s Palace and the Villiers Alms Houses, St. Munchin’s Church has witnessed significant historical transformations. Built in 1827, it underwent renovation in 1980 by the Limerick Civic Trust. The building served as a venue for the Island Theatre Company for a period and is now used as a store for the Limerick Civic Trust.
St. Munchin: Patron Saint of Limerick
St. Munchin, the patron saint of Limerick, is believed to have lived in the late 7th century. He founded a church called Cill Mainchín on Inis Sibhton.
The Curse of St Munchin is a warning to locals in the city. It tells of a legend whereby St. Munchin, was building a church in Limerick, he asked the locals for help. When they refused, he placed a curse stating that strangers would flourish while the natives would perish. Yet, the people of Limerick named him their patron saint, it is as the old saying goes “Keep your friends close but your enemies closer”.
John Ferrar’s description of the old St. Munchin’s Church in his ‘History of Limerick’ 1787
St Munchin’s Church is situated at the north end of Englishtown. It was founded by St Munchin the first bishop of Limerick, in the year 651; was rebuilt by the Danes, and remained the cathedral church of the city, until St Mary’s was built. We know very little of this church before the landing of the Danes, but it’s being the fee of a bishop in the seventh century, is a proof, that it must have been a place of consequences at that early period, above eleven hundred years since.
This church is situated on the side of the river Shannon. It is eighty-six feet in length, and twenty-four in breadth. The churchyard is nearly seven hundred feet in circumference, having the old town wall for its boundary, and a good terrace walk hanging over the Shannon, which comands an extensive prospect of the river, Thomond bridge, and the county of Clare. The church was repaired in 1711, and in 1734, Charles Smyth, esq; and the Rev. John Smyth, – who was for many years, the pious and exemplary minister of this church, – set a subscription on foot, by which the sum of one hundred and fifty pounds was raised. This was expended in the building a vestry room, stuccoing and beautifying the church, and in April 1752, a gallery was erected at the west end, and at the expense of Sir Peter Hacket, Colonel Adlercron, and the officers of their regiments.
At the fourth side of the communion table is a family vault and monument erected by the late bishop Smyth. The monument is made of fine black and white marble, on the top of which is the episcopal arms of Limerick, quartered with the episcopal arms of Limerick, quartered with the bishop’s family arms, carved in white marble, and supported by two cherubims; on the bottom the following inscription [Inscription in Latin]
Bishop Leslie and his wife are also interred in one grave, near the north door of this church.
St. Munchin’s is one of the Prebends in the gift of the bishop of Limerick. It is a rectory and vicarage united, worth about 120l. yearly. The rev. Arthur Clarke, as vicar, has two houses, an old one in Castle Street and the one in which he now resides, near the church. The prebend, rectory and vicarage were united by bishop Leslie.