St. Patrick's Church, Ardragh Church

St. Patrick's Church is situated in the townland of Ardragh about four miles from Shercock on the Shercock to Carrickmacross Road. The church is hidden in trees about a hundred yards from the main road near Corvalley Cross.

Ardragh or Ard Rath - a high fort, is an ancient site on which this church was built in 1866 and consecrated in 1868. The church was endowed by the Shirley family and designed by William Slater of London in the era of the Gothic revival. The church has many unique features and shows a high quality of workmanship. Of note is the semi circular chancel with its stone roof and three stained glass windows. The rose window above the main entrance while small is very beautiful depicting the Good Shepherd. The roof has a steep pitch and is timbered and plastered in a distinctive manner.

For its small size the church gives a magnificent impression of space and height. In 1881 the parish was joined with Magheracloone and in 1976 was joined with Carrickmacross. Canon Leslie notes that the Parish Registers were destroyed in the Public Records Office fire.

Clergy:
1868 - 1872    Patrick Hastings
1872 - 1881    Alexander Hurst Ross