Cratloe Church

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Cratloe Church, dedicated to St. John, is the Roman Catholic parish church of Cratloe, in County Clare, Ireland. It was originally built in 1791 by Fr. James Ward, P.P., with two transepts having been added to the original chancel and nave in 1806, by Fr. Jeremiah Cronin.

The doorway to the right transept is a medieval doorway, believed to have come from an earlier church in the parish.

It is one of only three remaining 'barn' churches in Ireland.

The quaint country church is popular for weddings, and a number of celebrity weddings have been held here, including that of Sharon Corr, of the musical group The Corrs.

[edit] Cratloe Grotto

A short distance away is Cratloe Grotto, which is maintained by the parish. Cratloe Grotto was opened in 1932 after the initiative of Fr. John Wallace, P.P., and includes of the Stations of the Cross on either side of the path climbing the 100 foot to the grotto itself. The grotto was designed as a replica of the grotto at Lourdes. On the hill above the grotto is a statue of the scene of the Crucifixion of Christ. The grotto also contains a number of religious statues. The work on constructing the grotto was carried out voluntarily by the people of the parish.