The Irish Georgian Society is delighted to be participating in this year’s National Heritage Week (19 – 27 August), providing locals and visits to Co. Meath with a rare opportunity to view Thomas Jervais’ stained glass window at Agher Church near Summerhill, Co. Meath.

During Heritage Week, visitors will be welcomed to Agher Church on Wednesday 23rd August (12.00pm to 4.00pm). Access is free and guides will be on hand to welcome visitors and to discuss the project. The church is wheelchair accessible. Visitors will have the opportunity to view the window, and learn about the significance of this rare example of eighteenth-century Irish stained glass. 

Depicting the biblical scene of St. Paul preaching to the Athenians, this rare eighteenth-century stained glass window was executed by the Irish artist Thomas Jervais in 1770. The window was originally located in a chapel in Dangan Castle, the childhood home of the Duke of Wellington, but was moved to its current location in 1809 following a devastating fire. Until recently the window was greatly at risk with the leadwork and putty holding the glass in place deteriorating rapidly. With the co-operation of the Select Vestry of Rathmoylan Union of Parishes, and the support of The Heritage Council, Meath County Council and donors in Ireland, the UK and US, the Irish Georgian Society was able to raise €50,000 to conserve this rare window. 

Read more about the conservation project here, or online in our annual magazine.

Image: Detail from the Thomas Jervais (d. 1799) stained glass window at Agher Church, photo: Nick Bradshaw.