St. Paul's Church, Ardmore
{{Short description|Small 19th century church in Ardmore, Ireland}}
{{Infobox church
| name = St. Paul's Church
| image = County Waterford - St Paul's Church - 20230929142940.jpg
| native_name =
| pushpin map =
| native_name_lang = ga
| caption = St. Paul's Church and the adjoining graveyard
| location = Ardmore
| country = Ireland
| coordinates = {{coord|51.95007|N|7.72511|W|region:IE-C_type:landmark|display=inline,title}}
| denomination = Church of Ireland
| website =
| founded date = 1838
| functional status = active
| dedication = Paul the Apostle
| dedicated date =
| consecrated date =
| architect =
| architectural type =
| style =
| parish = Youghal Union of Parishes{{cite web |title=Youghal Union of Parishes |url=http://youghal.cloyne.anglican.org/WP/ |website=Youghal Union of Parishes |access-date=September 30, 2023}}
| diocese =
| materials = limestone, rubble stone
}}
File:County Waterford - St Paul's Church - 20230929144019.jpg
St. Paul's Church is a small Church of Ireland church located in the seaside village of Ardmore, County Waterford in Ireland. Built between 1835 and 1840 (and dated 1838 by the incision on the tower), it is situated on a hill overlooking the town, but not as far up the hill as Ardmore's notable St. Declan's Monastery ruins.
The church is built on a cross plan,{{cite web |title=Saint Paul's Church (Ardmore), Tower Hill, Rocky Road, DYSERT, Ardmore, WATERFORD |url=https://www.buildingsofireland.ie/buildings-search/building/22827005/saint-pauls-church-ardmore-tower-hill-rocky-road-dysert-ardmore-waterford |website=National Inventory of Architectural Heritage |access-date=September 30, 2023}} with a three-storey tower facing the front and adorned with four pinnacles. The church's octagonal font is said to reach back to the 16th century, and came from Declan's cathedral. In the church, there is also a silver chalice dated 1726, restored to the church by the antiquarian Robert Day after it had disappeared from the church.{{cite web |title=Ardmore Memory and Story - The Village |url=https://www.waterfordmuseum.ie/exhibit/web/Display/article/368/6/Ardmore_Memory_and_Story__The_Village_St_Pauls_Church.html |website=Waterford County Museum |access-date=September 30, 2023}} The church was consecrated on September 15, 1841.{{cite web |title=You'll Kick Yourself Stupid If You Miss Your Chance To Experience The Delightful And Fascinating Saint Paul's Church |url=https://www.ardmorewaterford.com/suitably-silent-st-pauls-church-ardmore-waterford/ |website=Ardmore Waterford |access-date=September 30, 2023}}
The church is registered under reg. no. 22827005 by the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage.
Restoration campaign
In 1988, the 150th anniversary of the church, a campaign was organized to raise funds for repairs, as there was an urgent need to replace roof slates, woodwork, and to renovate the outside.{{cite news |last1=Fox |first1=Maureen |title=Having courage to fight cancer |work=Cork Examiner |date=July 1, 1988}} The campaign, which had a target of £28,000, was a cross-denominational effort, as there were only three Church of Ireland families living in the town at that time.{{cite news |title=Christians unite to save Ardmore church |work=Munster Express |date=August 12, 1988}} One of these families was that of Molly Keane who, in 1996,{{cite news |title=Molly Keane is laid to rest in simple seaside ceremony |work=Irish Examiner |date=April 26, 1996}} was buried in the church's adjoining graveyard.
The fundraising received support from the RTÉ personality Donncha Ó Dúlaing who, sponsored by Waterford dairy cooperative,{{cite news |title=Donncha's walk for Ardmore church |work=Munster Express |issue=July 22, 1988}} walked from Cork's St Anne's Church to the Ardmore church{{cite news |last1=Hurley |first1=Marie |title=Doncha heads for Ardmore |work=Evening Echo |date=July 22, 1988}}{{cite news |title=Walking for charity |work=Irish Examiner |date=July 30, 1988}} where he was welcomed by a large crowd of people.{{cite news |last1=Wyley |first1=Rory |title=Photograph caption |work=Waterford News and Star |date=July 29, 1988}} The cause was also supported by flower clubs from around the country which organized a flower festival on the church's grounds to coincide with Donncha's arrival.