Kilwirra Church Ruins / Cemetery Templetown Co Louth
(The Maritime tribute stands in the cemetery)
Near Templetown on the Cooley Peninsula lies the ruins of Kilwirra Church.
The church was built in honour of the Virgin Mary in the 15th century. The name Kilwirra is derived from the Irish “Cill Mhuire” and means “Church of Mary”.
Knights of the Templar Order, who had long resided on the Cooley Peninsula, are believed to have built the church.
In Kilwirra, the Templars left visible traces for the posterity and engraved their insignia, the cross and the lamb, in some of the old tombstones.