A Knights Tale

Intro music courtesy of Jory Nash www.jorynash.com St. Mary's was completed in 1210 and was founded by William Marshal, 1st Earl of Pembroke or his wife Isabel de Clare, a daughter of Strongbow. The bells were stolen in 1654 by a Lieut.-Col. Beale, during the Irish Confederate Wars. Divine Service was performed at St. Mary's until 1811 or 1812, when the west aisle was demolished to make room for the modern church. Many stories are associated locally with the ruins, including one about a soldier who entered the "Black Hole" under an archway with his dog; only the dog returned. In another, a man who attempted to take the cross out of the old chancel had his brains dashed out. William Marshall or his wife Isabella, who developed the town of New Ross, founded the Parish Church of New Ross in the 13th century. The church is situated on a rise overlooking the town. It may have become a Diocesan Centre under Bishop Barret, who built a castle at Mountgarret. The nave of the church was knocked down in 1813 and the site is now occupied by the present church. The old chancel and the north and south transepts contain one of Ireland's largest collections of medieval funerary. A key to these ruins can be obtained with a deposit at the town hall on the corner of South Street and Quay Street. Ross bambino Under the tomb canopy are two graveslabs. One of them is known as the 'Bambino' stone and features an effigy of a swaddled baby between two adults. One of the slabs features a cross with a projecting Agnus Dei, Lamb of God. These are usually associated with a Templar burial. Also present in the south wall is a sedilia. #knightstemplar #knight #history #cemetery