About Us
Our Parish
Our Parish is situated along the Meath Gold Coast where it enjoys 5km of seaside and golden sand and a further 5km of beautiful scenery along the River Boyne and Boyne Estuary. We have an estimated population of 17,000 with the majority living in the census town of "Laytown-Bettystown-Mornington-Donacarney". The Parish is served by two churches Sacred Heart Church, Laytown and Star of the Sea Church, Mornington. Both churches have vibrant faith communities and welcome the many newcomers to the Parish who have settled here over the past number of years.
Sacred Heart Church
Sacred Heart Church in Laytown was designed by the famous Irish architect Liam McCormick. It retains the gable wall of the original church but has a modern interior that overlooks the Irish Sea. Drawing inspiration from the rich heritage of the Boyne Valley, the Church is an essential stop-off for holidaymakers who would like to see something a little different, and for those who are about to embark on the 'Ireland's Ancient East' trail. Leaving Laytown, about 1km south of the Church, one can see the tomb of Láeg son of Riangabar, the charioteer and constant companion of Cú Chulainn. The tomb was excavated in 1982, revealing two Iron Age burials. The Church is also close to the location at Bettystown beach where the exquisite 8th Century Tara Brooch was said to have been discovered in 1850.
Star of the Sea Church
Star of the Sea Church is located sited in the townland of Donacarney Little. The church was dedicated in 1989 to replace an earlier Star of the Sea church in Mornington townland. The latter was built by Hammond of Drogheda in 1841 for the Rev. Donellan. This in turn replaced a pre-Reformation church, whose ruins are located in the old graveyard adjoining. St. Patrick is said to have landed here, the mouth of the Boyne, anciently called "Inbhear Colpa", on his way to Tara, though the church was traditionally dedicated to St. Columba. A former holy well dedicated to St. John was located near the new church in an area known as "The Glen".
Click here to visit our Mornington Church Pages