St. Mary's Church of Ireland
St. Mary's Church of Ireland
St. Mary's Church of Ireland
4.5
Historic Sites • Religious Sites • Churches & Cathedrals
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09:00 - 20:00
Monday
09:00 - 20:00
Tuesday
09:00 - 20:00
Wednesday
09:00 - 20:00
Thursday
09:00 - 20:00
Friday
09:00 - 20:00
Saturday
09:00 - 20:00
Sunday
09:00 - 20:00
About
The Church was built in 1870s on the site of former churches. It is thought to be the ancient site of the early churches from which the town gets its name "Church of the Sloes" in Irish is Cill Airne (Killarney). This church is noted for its matching set of vibrant stained glass windows, its organ (the church's acoustic is fabulous) and its decoration. It is situated between the Hotel sector and the main shopping area. Many visitors pop in to see the beautiful interior, to pray and light a candle, or for our free concerts which take place in the summer season. The concert programme features visiting choirs and orchestras from around the world. These concerts are free; we invite donations after the concert for our Restoration Appeal. Occasionally there is a ticketed concert (available on the door) to raise money for other causes. All concerts are advertised on the notice board (and our Facebook page) and all start at 8pm. We are especially proud to host each year the Spraoi Chiarrai concerts that feature local young Irish musicians who are being given their first taste of public performance. They play traditional Irish music on traditional instruments. The local Schools of music and dance also have concerts; it can be quite never wracking for these young people as it is their first time in public. This is the Church of Ireland building (not to be confused with the Roman Catholic Cathedral also called St Mary's on the other side of town).
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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4.5
117 reviews
Excellent
68
Very good
35
Average
12
Poor
1
Terrible
1
Edwelsh
North Canton, OH4,622 contributions
Aug 2023 • Couples
We walked by this little church and went inside. Just off the hustle and bustle of the busy street, it offered a peaceful retreat. The inside was tidy and comfortable, the stained glass windows beautiful. It seems to have a long and meaningful history. It’s hard for us Americans to appreciate the centuries old history in Europe, but we understand how important it is.
Written 3 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
retireeVancouver
Vancouver, Canada1,788 contributions
Jun 2023
The organist was playing hymns in the late afternoon of my visit which enhanced my visit to this 19th C church in Killarney's town center. Inside, what caught my eye were the colorful wall stencils, unusual for Anglican churches, I would think. Of course the many grouped lancet stained glass windows were outstanding, done in striking royal blues, emerald greens, reds, with splashes of yellow.
The church is located on the main shopping road and also nearby to Killarney Plaza Hotel and Killarney House and Gardens. A red wrought iron picket fence surrounds the church. Expect to park your car on the street. Mainly a 15 minute photo opportunity for me.
Don't confuse this church with St. Mary's Cathedral further outside of town.
The church is located on the main shopping road and also nearby to Killarney Plaza Hotel and Killarney House and Gardens. A red wrought iron picket fence surrounds the church. Expect to park your car on the street. Mainly a 15 minute photo opportunity for me.
Don't confuse this church with St. Mary's Cathedral further outside of town.
Written 22 June 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Alex S
Dublin, Ireland31 contributions
Apr 2020
St. Mary's Church is the beating heart of Catholic Ireland. One of the national symbols of our country!
Written 26 January 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Anne Doran
Cork, Ireland345 contributions
Aug 2020
It's wasn't my first time to Killarney, but it was my first time to visit this Church today. I was the only person visiting this amazing church. Loved the stained glass windows and the tranquility that was inside the walls of this lovely church, which is located off the Main Street in Killarney. A Holy Well of St Mary is located across the street and was something that I had never seen before, and this church also had a number of visitor leaflets and a place to light a candle. Would recommend and hopefully will visit again the next time I visit the welcoming place of Killarney.
Written 9 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your reflections on our lovely church. We are always open to anyone of any faith or none; not just for the beautiful stained glass windows and the decoration, but also for the tranquility and prayerfulness of this ancient sacred site. This building—one of many that has been built on this site over the centuries—celebrates its 150th Anniversary in two weeks' time: it was consecrated on 26 August 1870. It was built to replace a rather dilapidated church that was built in 1800 because the people of Killarney wanted a church that befitted the numerous visitors. It certainly lives up to that billing!
We have recently completed (notwithstanding the Coronavirus Pandemic Lockdown) a restoration of the stained glass windows in the south elevation and in the Great West Window, also replacing the secondary protective glazing; there is now much more light coming in the windows and they look fabulous. Most of the windows came from the same studio in NE England around 1888 and so form a matching set. Another innovation has been the installation of special lighting to shine out through the windows so those passing by at night also get a great view of these beautiful windows while the church is closed.
Every blessing to you; and stay safe and well.
Written 13 August 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
The Jockey
Carlow, Ireland35 contributions
Oct 2019
Please do visit this unique building and experience the beautiful surroundings and architecture. Wonderful roofs, ceilings and altars
Written 30 October 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your review. We appreciate the effect our lovely building has on visitors. It draws people closer to the spiritual core of life. It adds an extra dimension to people's visit/holiday.
Written 5 December 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
KJun2018
DeRidder, LA36 contributions
Jul 2019
On a foot tour in Killarney, we decided to take respite inside this beautiful church. Even though there were several tourists, everyone was respectful and quiet. Beautiful building - inside and out
Written 30 September 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We often find that people sense the deep tranquility and peacefulness of our ancient church, and appreciate it. The current church (150 years old next year) is built on the site of the scared centre of the community, with evidence of churches back into the 11th Century. It is a magnet not only for those seeking a sacred interlude, but also for those interested in the chequered history of Ireland's religious ancestry.
We welcome any and all visitors for whatever reason.
Written 17 October 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Albywon
Sydney, Australia11,827 contributions
Aug 2019 • Couples
The stained glass windows in this church are exceptional... I mean really amazing!
It is a very warm place, very friendly towards visitors, or "Spiritual Tourism" as they call it. Open quite late (8pm) in August and well worth a visit.
It is a very warm place, very friendly towards visitors, or "Spiritual Tourism" as they call it. Open quite late (8pm) in August and well worth a visit.
Written 19 August 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your review. We're very keen to ensure that all visitors have a lovely visit and find something of meaning and significance to them. The stained glass windows are nearly all from the same studio in the North East of England from the 1880s; their colour quality is exceptional and give a very warm feeling, along with the decoration which incorporates sacred scriptural texts. "Spiritual Tourism" is the name we give for the ordinary tourist/visitor who gets that uplifting feeling in the heart when they see beautiful things—without ever being holy or religious about it—it is a spiritual communication with the Divine that has moved them. Blessings.
Written 23 August 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Justinian
Edinburgh, UK114 contributions
Jul 2019 • Solo
Rather run down interior. One suspects the upkeep is challenging with no doubt a small congregation.
Written 21 July 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
OregonScooter
Portland, OR303 contributions
May 2019 • Couples
This amazing church was very impressive in terms of the construction materials, stained glass windows, pipe organ and so much more. What a privilege to be able to worship in a place like this.
Written 8 June 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks you so much for your review. It's a delight for us to be able to welcome visitors to our services; not just to a quick tour of the fabulous interior.
Written 19 June 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Lolly’s Look
New York City, NY12,817 contributions
Oct 2018 • Couples
We stopped in on our walk about town to tour this church. We loved the stained glass and the wood ceilings. We lit a candle and said a prayer.
Written 16 November 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We're so pleased you enjoyed your visit. The wooden ceiling is a traditional form of structure in older churches. The roofs of early churches were built by carpenters who'd been engaged in building large wooden war ships; they used the same structural techniques as for the hulls of those ships. That is why the body of the church is called the Nave (from naval).
Written 19 November 2018
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Deirdre R
Kerry2 contributions
Who is the rector
Rector-of-Killarney
Killarney, Ireland1 contribution
To contact the Rector, please go to the website for details.
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Frequently Asked Questions about St. Mary's Church of Ireland
- St. Mary's Church of Ireland is open:
- Sun - Sat 09:00 - 20:00
- Hotels near St. Mary's Church of Ireland:
- (0.03 km) Tatler Jack
- (0.05 km) The Ross
- (0.08 km) International Hotel Killarney
- (0.06 km) Killarney Plaza Hotel and Spa
- (0.11 km) Killarney Avenue Hotel
- Restaurants near St. Mary's Church of Ireland:
- (0.02 km) Tatler Jack
- (0.04 km) The Lane Cafe Bar
- (0.04 km) The Tan Yard
- (0.05 km) Milano
- (0.05 km) Celtic Donuts and Ice Cream Parlour