Collegiate Church of St. Nicholas

Built in 1320, St. Nicholas is one of the oldest parish churches in Ireland and the largest medieval parish church still in use. Recent research has Christopher Columbus worshiping at this port church in 1477. For centuries the illuminated clock tower has been an aid to ship navigators, as the alignment of Nimmo's pier and the church spire indicate the entrance point for the shipping channel. During the time of Cromwell, horses were stabled in the building. A collegiate church is a parish church that has a permanent community of clergy attached to it; St Nicholas was designated a collegiate church in 1484, prior to the Reformation.