Saint Michael's Catholic Church, Limerick

Saint Michael's Catholic Church is an 18th-century church located on Chapel Lane in Limerick. It is distinct from Saint Michael's Church on Pery Square, which belongs to the Church of Ireland. The origins of Saint Michael's Catholic Church trace back to an Anglo-Norman church dedicated to Michael the Archangel, first mentioned in the 1205 "Black Book of Limerick." This original church stood on an island between Englishtown and Irishtown, outside the city gates.

Historically, Saint Michael's was a prebendal church but was attached to the Archdeaconry of Limerick by 1418. It is one of Limerick City's five original parishes and served as a joint parish with Saint John's until 1704. That year, Father Murtagh O'Hehir became the first Catholic parish priest of the newly established Saint Michael's parish.

The current church building was constructed between 1779 and 1781, replacing a penal-era chapel demolished after the 1651 siege of Limerick. It was remodeled in 1805, with land donated by the Arthur family forming part of the south transept. Significant additions included a bell in 1815 and an organ in 1816. In 1881, the church was rebuilt in an Italianate style with Romanesque Revival features, designed by Martin Morris.

Architecturally, the church is a limestone building with a T-shaped plan and a slate roof. It features two stone fonts from around 1720, one possibly depicting Mary holding Jesus or Elizabeth holding John the Baptist, and the other showing Saint Michael. A gilt statue of Saint Michael vanquishing Satan adorns the top of the building.

Saint Michael's Catholic Church has been a site of significant historical events, including political meetings addressed by Daniel O'Connell. It also hosted the funerals of notable figures such as John Daly, Mayor of Limerick, in 1916, and Seán South in 1957. Today, Saint Michael's continues to serve the community, including hosting a weekly Mass in Polish for the Polish immigrant community.