One of the most beautiful and historic places of worship in this country, St Mary’s Collegiate Church in Youghal, is about to be taken into public ownership by the local Town Council. Although it was founded in the early 13th century by the FitzGeralds, later earls of Desmond, Sir Walter Raleigh worshipped there after the Reformation, as did Oliver Cromwell who wintered in Youghal in 1649/50. But the man whose name is indelibly associated with St Mary’s is Richard Boyle, first Earl of Cork, for the simple reason that his huge funerary monument still dominates the south transept of the church. David Kelly outlines the history of this remarkable building, the preservation of which has now been secured