Skerry church is perched on the top of a high rocky outcrop and towers over the surrounding fields. The main part of the building is very ruined with just one gable end and a side wall remaining. There is also a vaulted room that is almost complete.
The graveyard is rather run down, but there was a funeral held here lately. I was told that this would be the last one ever to take place here.
It is said that from this high platform St. Patrick tried to step on to the top of Slemish Mountain, which stands proud not too far away and dominated the area. There is a stone with a footprint somewhere on the hilltop that marks the spot where St. Patrick took his step from. He didn't manage to step on to Slemish, falling short and landing in the river below, where another stone bears a footprint. This story is very similar to others involving giants and hags striding from peak to peak and failing. Why Patrick would be portrayed as failing is beyond me - I think this is a much older story that has been given to Patrick.
All Sites Visited On 16th March 2008 « Previous Site Next Site »
A Random Selection of Nearby Monuments
St Peter's Church (Co. Wexford) | Clonenagh (Co. Laois) | Rock Of Cashel (Co. Tipperary) |
St. Mary's Priory (Co. Louth) | St. Mary's Church (Co. Wicklow) | St. Mary's Church (Co. Clare) |