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- This sketch is of Arles Chapel copied from Antiquities of Ireland
II, 1795.
- This was the first Catholic church to be built in Arles
and appears to have been in 1686, of which there is a description
and an illustration (Pl. 34, Vol. II.) in Grose's Antiquities. It is
there described as having been "built, according to tradition, by a
lady of the family of Hartpole. It is erected in the form of a
cross, and is thatched. In one arm of the cross is a small chapel,
the place of interment for the Grace family.
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Sacred Heart Church of Arles, Co Laois.
 The splendid location of the new chapel
affords some of the best and most breathtaking views of the
plains stretching from Arles to the beautiful Wicklow Mountains
in the east. On a clear day if you look south east one can quite
clearly see the town of Carlow with the Sugar Factory (now
demoloshid 2020) to the
north of the town and the Cathedral of the Assumption, in the
centre of Carlow. Looking due east you can also pick out the
white walls of Killeen Church, which stands out from all the
lovely green trees and pastures which litter the plains as far as
the eye can see. On a clear night you can also see the lights of
the town of Athy in the north and Castledermot which is close to
the Wicklow mountains in the east.
According
to Rev M Comerford "Collections relating to
the Dioceses of Kildare and Leighlin" Vol. 3 (1886).
In 1795 this structure was replaced by
another church, which, in turn was replaced by the
present beautiful church in 1868. The present church is
a most impressive structure, whose height is accentuated
by its elevated site. It is lavishly built, in cut
limestone, which was quarried locally, The church was
constructed by local tradesmen, using stone cutters and
masons.
Behind The Sacred Heart Church of Arles in
the graveyard is the grave of the prominent Tenant-leader and the
first editor of the 'Leinster Leader' newspaper, Mr Patrick
Cahill.
Not far from, and to the east of Arles
chape is the site of an old Well situated near the River
Fushoge. This Well can be seen on an old 1900 Ordnance Survey map
of Co. Laois.
ARLES 1837
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