St. James' Church, Dingle (must see)

Saint James' Church holds a significant place in the town's history and serves as a reminder of its medieval past. Located on the northeast side of Dingle's main street within the medieval walled town, the church site has a rich heritage that dates back to the 13th century.

Originally, the parish church was built by Spaniards and later appropriated to the Augustinian priory of Saint Mary's Killagh near Milltown. Some of the original masonry, including chamfered quoins, was utilized in constructing the present structure, connecting it to its medieval origins.

The church holds further historical importance as the location where The Treaty of Dingle was signed on April 28, 1529. This treaty, involving the Earl of Desmond, James Fitzgerald, and the envoy of the Holy Roman Emperor, Charles V, King of Spain, incorporated a significant portion of southwest Ireland into the Habsburg Monarchy. It also granted Irish people citizenship rights in Habsburg Spain, Austria, and the Netherlands.

Over time, much of the original church fell into ruins, with only Saint Mary's side chapel being maintained for divine service. Inside this chapel, a black marble tablet with a Latin inscription in gold letters commemorates John Fitzgerald, Knight of Kerry, who passed away in 1741.

In 1807, the present church, incorporating Saint Mary's chapel, was constructed through a generous gift of £1,100 from the Board of First Fruits. Throughout the years, the church underwent renovations, including alterations in 1974 that modified its appearance. In 2004, the Georgian Society provided funding for the repair and restoration of the church's ten lancet windows, including the intricately designed chancel window with timber tracery.

Adjacent to the church, the graveyard houses several noteworthy tombstones. Among them is a tombstone dating back to 1504, marking the burial place of one of the Fitzgeralds. Although broken and weather-worn, it bears the Desmond arms and features an inscription in a mix of Latin and Irish, reflecting the historical and cultural influences of the time.