OLD CHURCH AND GRAVEYARD
ST MARY'S CHURCH IN ORANMORE GALWAY [NOW A PUBLIC LIBRARY]
St. Mary’s Church in Oranmore, County Galway, is a landmark that beautifully illustrates the evolution of Irish village life, transitioning from a sacred space to a vital community hub.
History of St. Mary’s Church
The site for St. Mary’s was acquired around 1780, with the church building reaching completion by 1803. Architecturally, it is noted for its cruciform shape and a distinctive self-supporting roof structure, which was uniquely assembled on the ground and winched into place, leaving the interior free of upright posts. In 1885, a carved limestone bellcote was added, further defining its silhouette against the Galway skyline.
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Why it is no longer active
St. Mary’s was deconsecrated in 1974. The decision to close the church was primarily due to the need for a larger, more modern facility to accommodate the growing local population. After its closure, the building sat derelict and boarded up for nearly twenty years.
Fortunately, a local restoration committee began work in 1992 to save the structure. Following an extensive five-year restoration project (1995–2000), the building was handed over to the Galway County Council. In January 2001, it reopened its doors as the Oranmore Library, serving the community once again, albeit in a secular capacity.
The Graveyard and Notable Burials
The church is surrounded on three sides by a parish graveyard. This particular section was opened in 1935 (extending older burial grounds) on land donated by the Ussher family.
Notable Burials
Commandant Joe Howley: A significant figure in the Irish struggle for independence, Howley led the local Irish Volunteers during the 1916 Rising. He was later killed by British forces in Dublin in 1920. His grave is located to the rear of the church.
The Athy Family: A prominent Galway "tribe," the Athy family has a private crypt located beneath one of the wings of the cruciform church.
The Ussher Family: Local landowners and benefactors, including John St. George Ussher, are interred here.
Presentation Sisters: While many are in the nearby medieval graveyard, some records connect the religious orders of the village to the extended church grounds.
Is the graveyard still active?
The "old" medieval graveyard located nearby ceased interments in the 1960s. However, the graveyard surrounding St. Mary’s (the 1935 extension) is generally considered restricted. While it is not "active" for new plots in the way a modern municipal cemetery would be, burials still occasionally occur in existing family plots.
Current Parish Church
The spiritual successor to St. Mary’s is the Church of the Immaculate Conception. It is located a short distance away on the Dublin Road (Eircode: H91 XC61). This modern church serves as the primary place of worship for the Oranmore parish today.
Public libraries in Ireland are currently experiencing a resurgence. While libraries in some other countries have faced significant budget cuts or closures, the Irish library system has pivoted to become a cornerstone of both rural and urban community life.
The survival and popularity of Irish libraries can be attributed to several strategic shifts and cultural factors:
1.Evolution into "Community Hubs"
Irish libraries have moved far beyond being simple book repositories. Under the national strategy "The Library is the Place: Information, Recreation, Inspiration," they have rebranded as "third spaces"—neutral, free, and inclusive environments that are neither home nor work.
Social Inclusion: They act as "warm hubs" and social outlets for the elderly, offering knitting groups, film clubs, and newspapers.
Healthy Ireland: Many branches partner with the HSE to provide health and wellbeing resources, sensory rooms, and autism-friendly spaces.
Digital Equality: For those without high-speed internet or computers (particularly in rural areas), the library is often the only accessible point for essential digital services.
2.The "My Open Library" Initiative
One of the most significant reasons for the increased popularity is the My Open Library scheme. This allows registered members to access the library building from 8:00 am to 10:00 pm, 365 days a year, using an automated entry system.
This has increased weekly opening hours by up to 145% in some branches.
It serves commuters, students, and workers who previously couldn't visit during traditional 9-to-5 staffed hours.
3.Nationwide Integration (Libraries Ireland)
Ireland has a highly efficient, unified library system. A single membership card allows you to:
Borrow a book in Galway and return it in Dublin.
Request any book from any public library in the country via an online catalogue, with it delivered to your local branch for free.
Access a massive digital suite (BorrowBox, Libby) for e-books, audiobooks, and magazines, which saw a 200% increase in use during the pandemic.
4.Government Investment and Heritage
Unlike the UK, where many libraries are managed by volunteers to save costs, Irish libraries remain professionally staffed and have seen sustained capital investment.
Regeneration: Old buildings, like St. Mary’s in Oranmore, have been repurposed into libraries, blending local heritage with modern utility.
Funding: The Department of Rural and Community Development has invested millions into "Gigabit libraries" (high-speed internet) and refurbishments.
5.Free Membership
In 2016, Ireland abolished all library membership fees nationwide. Removing this barrier, combined with the removal of overdue fines in 2019, has made the library a truly "guilt-free" public service, encouraging a new generation of users.
St. Mary’s Church in Oranmore, County Galway, is a landmark that beautifully illustrates the evolution of Irish village life, transitioning from a sacred space to a vital community hub.
History of St. Mary’s Church
The site for St. Mary’s was acquired around 1780, with the church building reaching completion by 1803. Architecturally, it is noted for its cruciform shape and a distinctive self-supporting roof structure, which was uniquely assembled on the ground and winched into place, leaving the interior free of upright posts. In 1885, a carved limestone bellcote was added, further defining its silhouette against the Galway skyline.
+2
Why it is no longer active
St. Mary’s was deconsecrated in 1974. The decision to close the church was primarily due to the need for a larger, more modern facility to accommodate the growing local population. After its closure, the building sat derelict and boarded up for nearly twenty years.
Fortunately, a local restoration committee began work in 1992 to save the structure. Following an extensive five-year restoration project (1995–2000), the building was handed over to the Galway County Council. In January 2001, it reopened its doors as the Oranmore Library, serving the community once again, albeit in a secular capacity.
The Graveyard and Notable Burials
The church is surrounded on three sides by a parish graveyard. This particular section was opened in 1935 (extending older burial grounds) on land donated by the Ussher family.
Notable Burials
Commandant Joe Howley: A significant figure in the Irish struggle for independence, Howley led the local Irish Volunteers during the 1916 Rising. He was later killed by British forces in Dublin in 1920. His grave is located to the rear of the church.
The Athy Family: A prominent Galway "tribe," the Athy family has a private crypt located beneath one of the wings of the cruciform church.
The Ussher Family: Local landowners and benefactors, including John St. George Ussher, are interred here.
Presentation Sisters: While many are in the nearby medieval graveyard, some records connect the religious orders of the village to the extended church grounds.
Is the graveyard still active?
The "old" medieval graveyard located nearby ceased interments in the 1960s. However, the graveyard surrounding St. Mary’s (the 1935 extension) is generally considered restricted. While it is not "active" for new plots in the way a modern municipal cemetery would be, burials still occasionally occur in existing family plots.
Current Parish Church
The spiritual successor to St. Mary’s is the Church of the Immaculate Conception. It is located a short distance away on the Dublin Road (Eircode: H91 XC61). This modern church serves as the primary place of worship for the Oranmore parish today.
Public libraries in Ireland are currently experiencing a resurgence. While libraries in some other countries have faced significant budget cuts or closures, the Irish library system has pivoted to become a cornerstone of both rural and urban community life.
The survival and popularity of Irish libraries can be attributed to several strategic shifts and cultural factors:
1.Evolution into "Community Hubs"
Irish libraries have moved far beyond being simple book repositories. Under the national strategy "The Library is the Place: Information, Recreation, Inspiration," they have rebranded as "third spaces"—neutral, free, and inclusive environments that are neither home nor work.
Social Inclusion: They act as "warm hubs" and social outlets for the elderly, offering knitting groups, film clubs, and newspapers.
Healthy Ireland: Many branches partner with the HSE to provide health and wellbeing resources, sensory rooms, and autism-friendly spaces.
Digital Equality: For those without high-speed internet or computers (particularly in rural areas), the library is often the only accessible point for essential digital services.
2.The "My Open Library" Initiative
One of the most significant reasons for the increased popularity is the My Open Library scheme. This allows registered members to access the library building from 8:00 am to 10:00 pm, 365 days a year, using an automated entry system.
This has increased weekly opening hours by up to 145% in some branches.
It serves commuters, students, and workers who previously couldn't visit during traditional 9-to-5 staffed hours.
3.Nationwide Integration (Libraries Ireland)
Ireland has a highly efficient, unified library system. A single membership card allows you to:
Borrow a book in Galway and return it in Dublin.
Request any book from any public library in the country via an online catalogue, with it delivered to your local branch for free.
Access a massive digital suite (BorrowBox, Libby) for e-books, audiobooks, and magazines, which saw a 200% increase in use during the pandemic.
4.Government Investment and Heritage
Unlike the UK, where many libraries are managed by volunteers to save costs, Irish libraries remain professionally staffed and have seen sustained capital investment.
Regeneration: Old buildings, like St. Mary’s in Oranmore, have been repurposed into libraries, blending local heritage with modern utility.
Funding: The Department of Rural and Community Development has invested millions into "Gigabit libraries" (high-speed internet) and refurbishments.
5.Free Membership
In 2016, Ireland abolished all library membership fees nationwide. Removing this barrier, combined with the removal of overdue fines in 2019, has made the library a truly "guilt-free" public service, encouraging a new generation of users.