Church of the Assumption, Howth. Howth Church was built in 1899 in the Hiberno-Romanesque style. This is visible in several architectural features including the gargoyles, the granite columns, and the vaulted ceilings. Depictions of the Stations of the Cross adorn the walls of the Church, whilst the windows illustrate biblical scenes through stained glass. The present church was built in the year 1899 on a site donated by the St. Lawrence Family. This Family, previously the Lords of Howth, have lived in the nearby Howth Castle which had been their home since the 12th Century, until recent years with the larger site sold on to developers.
This church is where I spent a large part of my childhood as my mom worked here as a book keeper and later also as a sacristan. I used to love going to work with her on a Saturday to help set up for christenings and weddings 💒 I loved to see all of the style and I also got to meet a few very cool famous faces down there over the years.
Both sets of grandparents, of myself and my husband, married in this church, as did both of our parents and then later in 2011 so did we. This church served as the backdrop for some beautiful family ceremonies and I hope many more to come in the years ahead. My own dad was hugely involved in the fundraising drive to restore the church at its centenary in 1999 so I’m proud to walk in the door on the occasion that we saunter inside now. Fun fact, locals will tease each other about which door they enter the church from..jokingly coming in from the left sided door might suggest you have notions! For everyone in our little village, this is the most beautiful and proud centre-point, perfectly poised for directions, photos and a little wander inside. The church is only a short walk to the harbour and emphasises this beautiful fishing towns heritage, definitely worth a wander.
Enjoy the cache! This is a two stage multi to explore the outside of the church, can be done after hours if you choose. *hints adjusted with thanks to a few requests..
A: At primary coordinates count how many circular windows are visible within the main window display above the front door? (answer is single digit)
B: How many gargoyles are on the bell tower?
C: How many stained glass windows, which would depict a story, are located at the apse? (Apse is semicircular recess)
D: How many entrances (doorways) to the church building are there in total, including the sacristy to the side?
E: How many golden crosses on the collective gates?
F: How many graves are marked inside the church gates?
Final coordinates to find cache with sum of 24:
53 23.(A*0)(3*C)(B/D) -6 0E.A(B*0)(E+F)
The Church Micro IE series is open to everyone; if you have a church you would like to place a cache at then please contact THE_Chris through Geocaching.com. This is to keep track of the numbers of the churches and give you the general format for the cache page. In the UK there are thousands in the series so we have some catching up to do! Also, if you currently have a published cache at a church that you would like to include in the series, get in contact and it can be added.
* FTF LynchGOMHowth * keeping it in the family ;)