Exploring Churchclara in Kilkenny: A Quiet Encounter with Ogham Stones and Celtic Crosses
Hello friends, Aidan here from Celtic Cross Online. This week, I had the pleasure of visiting a peaceful and historic corner of Kilkenny—an old church site in a place called Churchclara. It’s not the kind of spot you’ll find in every tourist guide, but I can tell you it left a lasting impression on me. 
The remains of the church are thought to date back to the 11th or 12th century and are linked to St. Colman, a figure woven into early Irish Christian tradition. There’s no roof anymore, and nature has taken its share, but the stonework stands strong. It has that kind of presence you don’t need to explain—you just feel it when you walk through. 
What truly caught my eye were two Ogham stones tucked into the fabric of the building. Ogham, if you’re not familiar, is Ireland’s oldest form of writing—those vertical lines and slashes carved along stone edges, used to mark names and clan ties over 1,500 years ago. One of the stones is placed horizontally as a window ledge, the other was uncovered later during conservation work. They’re not displayed with a sign or spotlight—you’d nearly miss them if you weren’t looking. And maybe that’s what made finding them feel so special. 
As I walked through the graveyard surrounding the church, I noticed several headstones carved in the shape of Celtic crosses—each one a quiet tribute to the generations buried here. Some were leaning slightly, others well-kept, all of them rich with symbolism. Among them was a small gravestone marking the resting place of an Irish soldier who died in 1916 during World War I. It was a sobering reminder that Irish history lives not just in museums, but in places like this—tucked into the corners of everyday countryside. 
Not far off, a few horses were lazily crossing the field behind the church as we were packing up. There was something lovely about that—a calmness to it all that stayed with me even after we left. 
At Celtic Cross Online, we always talk about the importance of Irish heritage—and seeing it so vividly represented at Churchclara reminded me why we do what we do. The symbols carved into those old gravestones are the same ones we carry forward in our jewellery. 
If those crosses resonate with you as they did with me, I’d invite you to explore our full Celtic Cross Necklace Collection. These pieces are more than jewellery—they’re a link to the same traditions I saw that day among the stones of Kilkenny.
Further Reading and Exploration:
- A Walk Through Ireland: Celtic Crosses and Their Stories in the Irish Countryside
- St. Brigids Shrine
- What Are the Different Styles of Claddagh Rings?
Special Offer – 15% Off Celtic Cross Necklaces
To celebrate this visit to Churchclara, we’re offering you 15% off any necklace in our Celtic Cross collection. Use code KILKENNY15 at checkout – valid until 18th May: Shop Celtic Cross Necklaces Thanks for reading and being part of this journey through Ireland’s past. Churchclara was a quiet place—but a powerful one. Slán go fóill, Aidan
