The village of Dunshaughlin originally developed where the main Dublin to Cavan route was intersected with the Trim road and number of county roads. Dunshaughlin derives it’s name from „Domhnach Seachnaill“ meaning the church of St. Seachnall. Saint Seachnaill, a contemporary of Saint Patrick, established his church in Dunshaughlin on the site of the present day Church of Ireland in the 5th century. Dunshaughlin (or more specifically, the townland of Lagore) is famous for an ancient crannog or settlement from the 7th century where a number of Irish antiquities were discovered. Approximately 1.6 km south of the village is a preserved workhouse from An Gorta Mór, which was abolished by the Irish State in the early twenties. The workhouse is currently under private ownership and is not open to the public. Today, Dunshaughlin with its location 29 km from Dublin on the N3 road, is a thriving satellite town of the nation's capital consisting primarily of a main street, with numerous retail units. It has grown considerably over the last 20 years.
Church of Saints Patrick and Seachnaill (stage 1)
In 1979 the people of Dunshaughlin realised, that there is a need for a new church. The members of the committee of the parishioners volunteered to look after the design of the proposed building and a fundraising campaign was launched. Work on the new building commenced in 1981 and the dedication ceremony took place on 14th November 1982.
The coordinates will lead you to the side of the church, where you will find the foundation stone with the date when it was placed AB.C.1982
Saint Patrick’s church (stage 2)
First there was a chapel standing on this site. In 1856 an attempt was made to dispossess the Catholics of Dunshaughlin of their chapel, but then new lease was obtained in 1857. Some renovation took place in years 1878-1882 and an extension towards the road with a new front and belfry was built. St. Sechnall was the medieval patron, but as his name does not appear in the Roman Martyrology, the Congregation of Rites refused to sanction him as titular.The church was dedicated to St. Patrick. In 1983, when the new church was finished, the church was sold to Meath County Council. Today you can find there a nice public library.
Beside the entrance to the library, there is a huge famine cauldron. On the wall you can find a plate with some information. For how many years was the cauldron used in the soup kitchen? Call this number D.
Saint Seechnall’s church (stage 3)
Although the present Church of Ireland church in Dunshaughlin dates only from 1814, it stands on a very ancient site, the original church being founded by St. Sechnall. The ruins of a pre-sixteenth century church (only one-and-a-half arches) stand close to the present building. Of great interest is also a lintel dating from twelfth century or earlier, now incorporated in the western end of the ruins, which depicts the crucification with two soldiers thrusting spears into Our Lord’s side. The Church today is a fairly small country church which seats about a hundred people. Above the entrance is a tablet which reads: „This Church and Steeple were rebuilt and ornamented in the Year of Our Lord 1814, the Reverend William H. Irvine, Rector and Messrs George E. Irvine and James Dempsey Church Wardens by James Graham of Dunshaughlin, Mason.“ The Reverend William Irvine, Rector 1788-1818, is buried under the arch of the old church with his son the Reverend George Irvine, also Rector of Dunshaughlin, 1818-1839.
Under the arch of the old church there is a gravestone with carved writing. In the end of the second line from the bottom you can find the date when Rector Irvine died. Turn the month of the date into number and call it E.
The final coordinates are
N 53º 30.(A+B+D)B(C+D+E)
W 6º 32.(C+D)E(B+E)
The Windsockers
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