Inch Church of Ireland

Disestablished from the British Crown and State, the Church of Ireland would be regarded as the mainstay of Protestantism here in Southern Ireland. Anglican in ethos, the church has no part to play within the British Establishment in the same way as, say the Church of England does. Many of the greatest Irish patriots were members of the C of I. One has only to think of Robert Emmet and Theobald Wolf Tone. Indeed the first President of the new state, Douglás de hÍde was a member of the C of I too as is Bono and many other prominent people. The church, although often seen as playing second fiddle to the Roman Catholics has played a prominent role in the making of the modern Republic.

For our sins, one of the current favourites for the upcoming Presidential election, Senator David Norris, is not only a member but an openly gay one at that!! There, you have a measure of how far the country has come, for better or for worse, even within my lifetime.

This little parish church lies in the tiny village of Inch just across the county border in County Wexford. A quiet and restful place just off the main road.