The Introduction of Stone Construction | Irish Architecture | Briefing | Professor Roger Stalley

Early Architecture in Irreland & Romanesque Architecture in England

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The Introduction of Stone Construction | Irish Architecture in the Early Middle Ages: c. 500-1200 AD
Professor Roger Stalley

One of the most fundamental changes that took place in Irish church architecture was the introduction of stone as the primary building material. The development of stone building was a slow process but also reflected the growing size and wealth of the communities. Resistance to the use of stone might be seen as a preference for the more plentiful and easily worked wood as well as continued veneration of existing wooden buildings that accrued value through use and tradition. Contrary to the prevailing impression, the stone church - or 'daimhliag' - was not fireproof, since such buildings were generally covered by timber-framed roofs. The occasional stone church existed in the pre-Viking period: there was one at Duleek in the 7th century and another at Armagh in 789. Outside major centers like Kells and Armagh, however, they remained rare until the 10th century. It may be significant that the first stone church recorded in the annals was built at Armagh, the monastery which claimed to be the centre of Christian Ireland. The development of stone building probably evolved through a desire for greater status and prestige but also relied on the growing size and wealth of the community. Further, stone buildings were more durable and, if not completely immune from the ravages of fire due to continued use of wooden roofs, there was certainly some improvement in the safety and reliability of the structures.

The common characteristics of stone churches in major monasteries may be assessed according to a variety of criteria, including:

Single cell structures, often with a length to breadth ratio of 3:

Ireland, Fore, St. Fechin, Ground plan

Ireland, Fore, St. Fechin, Exterior view

reland, Glendalough, Cathedral, Ground plan

Ireland, Glendalough, Cathedral

Ireland, Kilmalkedar, Church

The north and south walls frequently continue slightly beyond the corners to form 'antae' supporting the roof timber, which originally overhung the gable wall. Roofing systems and the use of shingles fitted over a timber frame.

Window design and the problem of glazing offers another point of interest. Windows tend to be very small, their heads either triangular or round-headed. In the latter case they are often cut from a single stone, rather than constructed as a genuine arch. There is no evidence, either from documentary or archaeological indications, for the use of glass but, given its use in Anglo-Saxon England, it is hard to believe that it was unknown in Ireland. At the very least wooden shutters must have been essential in adverse weather.

The west wall of the early churches invariably contained a lintelled doorway with inclined jambs, framed in some cases by an 'architrave' band projecting from the surface in thin relief. Though deceptively simple in form, the doorways are built of well-dressed stone, robust and imposing in appearance. Fine examples are found at Fore, St. Fechin's and St. Mary's Church at Glendalough. In time, increasingly elaborate portals appear at Cashel, one of the first Irish buildings to be enhanced with decorative sculpture and at Clonfert, designed with a steep decorative "tangent" gable.

Ireland, Fore, St. Fechin, Exterior view

Ireland, Glendalough, St. Mary's Church, Doorway

Ireland, Cashel, Cormac's Chapel, Doorway

Ireland, Clonfert. Cathedral, Doorway

Types of masonry: The quality of the rubble masonry found in the early churches is often very high. When stones of different color and texture are neatly fitted together, as in the so-called 'Men's Church' on Inismurray, the visual effect can be highly attractive. The actual character of the masonry varies a great deal, in part reflecting local geological circumstances. There is some evidence that the walls of early churches were covered by lime plaster, traces of which have been discovered at Clonmacnois Cathedral.