St. Maelruain's Church, Tallaght

;[1] Christian worship has continued on this site for over twelve hundred years since the Celtic saint, Maelruain, founded a monastery here in the 8th century.

This monastery became an important centre of spiritual life where the Ceilí Dé (also known as Culdees, or the servants of God) had their headquarters.

[2][failed verification] In 1662 the churchwardens were granted a sum of £100 in compensation for damage done by Captain Alland who had been stationed there with his troops in 1651 during the Cromwellian invasion of Ireland.

Although the monastery was on another site beside the present priory, the earlier tower of the medieval parish church is still extant.

It is a small ancient cross set in a pedestal which is fixed in a circular granite base resembling a mill stone.

One of these commemorates Colonel John Talbot of Belgard who sat in the Parliament of King James II of England and took part in many important military engagements.