St. Nicholas Without
The original church was near Limerick Alley. During Alexander de Bicknor’s episcopate (1317-1349), the parish of St. Nicholas was expanded to include the Manor of St. Sepulchre and the Deanery of St. Patrick, resulting in two divisions: St. Nicholas Within the Walls and St. Nicholas Without. The church was under the Chapter of St. Patrick’s Cathedral.
By the 14th century, St. Nicholas parish included both sides of Patrick St. (except Patrick’s Close), New St., and most of Kevin St. The north transept of St. Patrick’s Cathedral served as the parish church for a long time, with a wall separating it from the cathedral.
In 1666 a plot of ground off Kevin St. was set aside for the use of the parish as a burial ground. This became the Cabbage Garden burial ground.
The transept was in ruins from 1784 until it was re-roofed in 1825. In 1861, the parish was reunited with St. Luke’s, to share the same church.
St. Luke’s parish was established by an Act of Parliament in 1708, leading to the construction of a new church. The Huguenot weavers who joined the Church of Ireland were initially accommodated in the Lady Chapel of St. Patrick’s, but a new church was needed due to overflow. The new church was located near the Coombe.
Association with Poddle
St.Nicholas Without was one of the early Celtic churches erected on the Poddle which also included St. Michael’s Le Pole in Ship Street, St. Brigid’s in Bride Street, St. Patrick’s in Insula, St. Kevin’s, St. Martin’s, near Werburgh Street to the Danish Cathedral Trinity, on Christchurch, on the Hill.
What the Newspapers Say
Dublin Chronicle September 13th, 1770
Sunday evening, to the amazement of many people, several hundreds of Herrings were taken up alive from the Poddle Hole water that runs under the House at the Sign of the Royal Oak at Nicholas’ Gate.
River Poddle Tax 31st of 7th Month, 1829
PURSUANT to Resolutions entered into by the several Householders, who met at the Tailors’ Hall on the 18th inst., relative to the above Tax, I hereby request a Meeting of all Persons liable to the same, to meet on THIS DAY, 31st inst., at the aforesaid Hall, at Twelve O’ Clock, for the purpose of laying before them a most important Letter, received from Dean Dawson, Treasurer to said Fund.
The following Finishes are requested to produce their respective Rector’s Income, viz. Catherine’s (Earl of Meath’s Liberty only) (Liberty of Sepulchre), Kevin’s, Luke’s. Nicholas within and Nicholas without, Bride’s, Werburgh’s, and Andrew’s.
JOSEPH MORRIS, Secretary
29. Brunswick-street.
