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ST MAGDALEN’S CHURCH IN DROGHEDA IS NO LONGER ACTIVE

September 10, 2024 by infomatique

DOMINICAN ORDER IN IRELAND

The story of St. Magdalen’s Church reflects the complex interplay of faith, history, and societal change. While its doors may be closed, its legacy endures, a reminder of the Dominican Order’s deep roots in Drogheda and the ongoing evolution of religious life in Ireland.

St. Magdalen’s Church, Drogheda: A History of Faith and Transformation

St. Magdalen’s Church in Drogheda stands as a testament to the enduring presence of the Dominican Order in Ireland, despite its own physical absence. Though the church building no longer functions as a place of worship, its history sheds light on a vibrant community and its evolving role in the town and beyond.

A Flourishing Start:

Founded in 1224 by Lucas de Netterville, Archbishop of Armagh, the Dominican Friary of St. Mary Magdalene quickly gained prominence.
It became a centre of religious and intellectual life, witnessing significant events like the submission of Ulster chiefs to Richard II in 1399.
The friary endured turbulent times, including suppression during the Reformation and damage during the Cromwellian siege of Drogheda in 1649. Yet, the Dominican spirit persevered.
Rebuilding and Rebirth:

In the 19th century, as Catholic Emancipation brought renewed freedoms, the Dominican Order returned to Drogheda. The present St. Magdalen’s Church, built in 1878, replaced an earlier chapel and served as a spiritual hub for the growing community.
Attached to a Dominican convent, the church flourished throughout the 20th century, witnessing countless baptisms, weddings, and funerals, marking the milestones of generations of Drogheda residents.
A Changing Landscape:

The late 20th century brought challenges for religious orders across Ireland, including declining vocations and changing societal attitudes. The Dominican convent in Drogheda closed in 2000, and St. Magdalen’s Church ceased to function as a place of worship soon after.
Current Status & Future:

The Dominican Order, though no longer physically present in Drogheda, maintains a vibrant presence in Ireland. Their legacy continues through various ministries and institutions, fostering faith and education throughout the country.
The St. Magdalen’s Church building is currently owned by the Drogheda Credit Union. While its future remains uncertain, there is hope that it will be preserved and repurposed, honouring its historical and architectural significance.

OUR LADY QUEEN OF PEACE

September 10, 2024 by infomatique

MERRION ROAD IN DUBLIN

Here is a summary of its origin, development, and current status:

Origin

Need for a New Church: In the 1920s, the Catholic population in the Merrion area grew, prompting the Archbishop of Dublin to decide that a new church and parish were needed.
Land and Funding: The land for the church was generously donated by Mrs. Anne Doyle, and Mr. Matthew McCabe contributed a significant sum to purchase the freehold from the Pembroke Estate. The construction itself was a considerable undertaking, costing over £200,000 at the time.
Construction and Opening: Work began in 1951, delayed by World War II. The church was officially opened and blessed by Archbishop McQuaid on December 13, 1953.
Development

Architectural Style: The church was designed by Simon Leonard in the style of a Basilica, with a façade finished in Dublin granite and limestone. Notable features include a high circular belfry inspired by Irish Round Towers, and a magnificent rose window depicting Our Lady Queen of Peace. The interior boasts a marble High Altar and stained glass windows, all crafted by the Earley Studios.
Establishment of the Parish: It wasn’t until 1964 that Merrion was formally constituted as a parish, with Canon Scanell as its first parish priest.
Recent Renovations: The church and its grounds underwent renovations in 2012 and 2014, respectively.

Current Status

Active Parish: Our Lady Queen of Peace remains an active and vibrant parish, serving the Catholic community in the Merrion area.
Pastoral Care: Since 2008, priests of the Opus Dei Prelature have been entrusted with the pastoral care of the parish.
Community and Services: The church offers a range of services and activities, including Mass, sacraments, devotions, and various parish groups catering to different age groups and interests.
Online Presence: The parish maintains a website and social media presence to provide information, share news, and facilitate online engagement.

ST PHILIP’S CHURCH ON TEMPLE ROAD

August 23, 2024 by infomatique

DESIGNED BY SIR THOMAS DREW

St. Philip’s Church, Milltown

History:

The site for the church was donated by Lord Palmerston in 1864.
The foundation stone was laid the same year, and the church was consecrated in 1867.
The architect was Sir Thomas Drew, renowned for designing other notable buildings like St. Anne’s Cathedral in Belfast and Rathmines Town Hall.
The church was built to cater to the spiritual needs of the expanding population in the then-new suburb of Milltown.
The church underwent enlargement in 1878/79.
Architectural Style:

The church exhibits the Early English Gothic architectural style, recognised by its pointed arches and lancet windows.
It comprises a nave and an apse-shaped chancel.
The roof of the chancel is polygonal, adorned with moulded ribs.
Current Status:

St. Philip’s remains an active parish church, serving the Milltown and Dartry communities.
It is well-maintained and continues to be a centre for worship and community events.
There is no recent information available regarding any major restorations.

Sir Thomas Drew (1838-1910) was a prominent Anglo-Irish architect who left an indelible mark on the architectural landscape of Ireland.
He was known for his expertise in church architecture, particularly in the Gothic Revival style, but he also designed a wide range of other buildings, including commercial structures, public buildings, and houses.

Drew was born in Belfast and trained under the renowned architect Sir Charles Lanyon. He later moved to Dublin, where he established his own practice and became a leading figure in the architectural profession. He served as the President of the Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland from 1889 to 1901 and was knighted in 1885 for his contributions to architecture.

Some of Drew’s most notable works include:

St. Anne’s Cathedral, Belfast: This grand cathedral, completed in 1904, is considered one of the finest examples of Gothic Revival architecture in Ireland.
Ulster Bank, Dublin: This imposing building on Dame Street, completed in 1891, is a testament to Drew’s skill in designing commercial structures.
Rathmines Town Hall, Dublin: This elegant building, completed in 1899, is a landmark in the Rathmines area and serves as a venue for various cultural events.
Graduates’ Memorial Building, Trinity College Dublin: This striking building, completed in 1906, houses the university’s library and reading rooms.
St. Philip’s Church, Milltown: This charming church, designed by Drew in 1864, is a testament to his ability to create beautiful and functional places of worship.
Drew’s architectural legacy is evident throughout Ireland, and his buildings continue to be admired for their beauty, craftsmanship, and functionality. He played a crucial role in shaping the architectural landscape of Ireland in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and his work continues to inspire architects and enthusiasts today.

GLASNEVIN CEMETERY THE AREA NEAR THE MAIN GATE AND THE MUSEUM

May 3, 2024 by infomatique

PHOTOGRAPHED 2 MAY 2024

WAR MEMORIAL – A GIFT FROM FRANCE

While I typically enter the cemetery via the Botanic Gardens and exit by the old gate near the Gravediggers Pub, I occasionally photograph the area near the main gate or the museum.

Glasnevin Cemetery is renowned for its historically notable monuments and for being the final resting place of many of Ireland’s most prominent national figures. These include the graves of Daniel O’Connell, Charles Stewart Parnell, Michael Collins, Éamon de Valera, Arthur Griffith, Maude Gonne, Kevin Barry, Roger Casement, Constance Markievicz, Seán MacBride, Jeremiah O’Donovan Rossa, James Larkin, Brendan Behan, Christy Brown, and Luke Kelly of the Dubliners.

Among the most visited sites in Glasnevin is the grave of Michael Collins, the nationalist leader killed in the Irish Civil War in 1922. At least 183 soldiers of the Irish Free State were buried around him, their names recorded on a memorial surrounding Collins’ grave in 1967.

A controversial point in the cemetery’s history is the 1993 discovery of a mass grave, belonging to a Magdalene laundry, an institution used to house “fallen women.” After the convent that operated the laundry sold the land, remains were cremated and controversially reburied in a mass grave at Glasnevin, the cost shared between the developer and the Sisters from the convent.

The cemetery offers a fascinating glimpse into the evolution of death monuments in Ireland over the last 200 years. Styles changed from the austere, simple stone erections of the period up until the 1860s, to elaborate Celtic crosses during the nationalistic revival from the 1860s to the 1960s, then to the plain Italian marble common in the late 20th century.

The main part of the cemetery is enclosed by a high wall and watchtowers, a design specifically intended to deter bodysnatchers who were active in Dublin in the 18th and early 19th centuries. Packs of bloodhounds roamed the cemetery at night for added security.

In 2009, Glasnevin Trust, with the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC), began marking graves of Irish service personnel who served in the Commonwealth forces during the two world wars. Their names appear on two memorials rededicated and relocated in 2011 near the main entrance. As of July 2019, 215 service personnel of the Commonwealth of both wars have been identified as buried here. A Cross of Sacrifice was also erected during a joint Irish-British commemoration for the First World War centenary.

Glasnevin notably allowed stillborn babies to be buried in consecrated ground, in an area called the Angels Plot.

Within the cemetery grounds, Glasnevin Trust built a crematorium in 1982, used since by people of various religious denominations who wished to be cremated.

A highlight of the cemetery is the Glasnevin Trust Museum, designed by A&D Wejchert & Partners Architects and opened in 2010. The museum includes a café.

The cemetery runs tours, welcomes educational groups, and offers support for genealogists and those researching family history.

TODAY I MANAGED TO VISIT KILBARRACK CEMETERY

September 21, 2023 by infomatique

AFTER A NUMBER OF FAILED ATTEMPTS OVER A PERIOD OF TEN YEARS

I tried to visit the cemetery when Covid restrictions were in operation but I discovered that the gates were locked which was somewhat annoying as I had walked to get there. Last week I was on my way by train with the intention of walking from Bayside Station but I received a message informing me that my mother [103 year old] had had fall so I had to abandon my visit.

This cemetery is 6 miles from Fairview Park on the coast road to Howth. It is situated on the grounds of an old church and is still active. This cemetery is now under the care of the Fingal County Council

The church, believed by many to have been here since the 6th century, was built for the assistance of shipwrecked sailors and is sometimes known as ‘the Mariner’s Church’.

The old and new grounds adjoin, and the old ground contains the ruins of a Church. There are 3 Commonwealth burials of the 1914-1918 war and 1 of the 1939-1945 war here. Visitors to Kilbarrack Cemetery are advised that the main gates are sometimes locked and that the gate into the Old Church ruin where the grave of J D Butterly is located are permanently locked. Keys are available from Fingal County Council Tel: 00 353 1 890 5950/5943.

1623599 Sergeant [Flight Engineer]
John Desmond Butterly
The Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve.
12 Squadron.

aged 33.

Son of Joseph Butterly and Mary Teresa Butterly, formerly Quinn, of Waterside, Howth, Co. Dublin.
His father was a Grocer and a Publican.
His father died on 4 August 1936, aged 71

In 1943, 12 Squadron was based at Wickenby, Langworth, Lincolnshire.
It flew Vickers Wellington bombers until the Autumn of 1942, and Avro Lancaster bombers from late 1942 until the end of the war.

His death was not registered in Ireland or Britain.
Cemetery records note the following.
John Desmond Butterly, aged 33, single, an Engineer with The Royal Air Force, died on 7 July 1943, at Lindholm, Lincoln. He was buried on 21 July 1943. Joseph Butterly had charge of the arrangements of the burial.

Inscription
the crest of the Royal Air Force

1623599 Sergeant
J. D. BUTTERLY
Flight Engineer
Royal Air Force
7th July 1943 age 33

R. I. P.
lamb of god who takest away
the sins of the world
grant us peace