THE CHURCH AND THE GRAVE

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.

FORMER CAPUCHIN FRIARY

September 3, 2024 by infomatique

43 DUBLIN STREET IN CARLOW

My understanding is that the Government is planning to use this building for social housing. Extract from official statement: “As the Capuchin Centre is available for immediate use, it will be used to address the needs of families. This is one of a number of premises that will change use as a result of this shortage.”

The building at 43 Dublin Street in Carlow stands as a testament to the town’s layered history. Its architectural makeup reveals a fascinating blend of eras: a fine early Victorian three-story structure seamlessly integrated with an older complex from around 1740. The building’s protected status underscores its historical significance, ensuring the preservation of its many original features.

The property enjoys frontage onto Dublin Street with side access also from Coxes Lane which runs from Dublin Street to the Barrow Track (along the river Barrow). Adjoining the rear boundary of the property is Barrow Track public car park. Accommodation includes 7 x ensuite bedrooms, capable of immediate occupation, together with large sitting room, separate large dining room, kitchen, former chapel (direct access from Dublin Street), stores and outbuildings.

Until its closure in 2022, it served as Carlow’s Capuchin Friary. This extensive property encompassed not only residential quarters for the friars but also a dedicated chapel and tranquil walled gardens, creating a self-contained spiritual and living space.

The Closure and Broader Context

The closure of the Capuchin Friary in Carlow is part of a wider trend observed in Ireland in recent years. Numerous religious institutions, including monasteries and friaries, have shuttered their doors. This phenomenon can be attributed to several interconnected factors:

Declining Vocations: A significant decrease in the number of individuals entering religious life has led to a shortage of priests and religious personnel. This has made it increasingly challenging to sustain the operation of these institutions.

Aging Religious Communities: Many religious communities are grappling with an aging population, with fewer younger members to replace those who retire or pass away.

Financial Constraints: Maintaining large, often historic, buildings can be financially burdensome. Coupled with decreasing donations and income, many institutions find it difficult to keep up with maintenance and operational costs.

Shifting Societal Attitudes: In recent decades, Ireland has experienced a shift in societal attitudes toward religion, with a decline in church attendance and religious observance. This has impacted the support base for religious institutions.

CARLOW CATHEDRAL

September 3, 2024 by infomatique

CATHEDRAL OF THE ASSUMPTION

Construction and Design:

The Cathedral of the Assumption, the seat of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Kildare and Leighlin, stands proudly in Carlow Town. Its construction began in 1828, with the foundation stone laid by Bishop James Doyle, a prominent figure in Irish history. The cathedral was completed and consecrated in 1833. Its design is attributed to the renowned architect Thomas Cobden, a pioneer of the Gothic Revival style in Ireland. Cobden’s vision for the cathedral was inspired by European examples, most notably the Belfry of Bruges, resulting in a striking blend of architectural elements.

Unique Features:

The Carlow Cathedral boasts several distinctive features that contribute to its grandeur and historical significance:

Imposing Tower: A prominent landmark visible from afar, the cathedral’s tower reaches a height of 151 feet (46 meters), making it one of the tallest structures in Carlow.

Gothic Revival Architecture: The cathedral’s architecture exemplifies the Gothic Revival style, with pointed arches, ribbed vaults, and ornate tracery adorning its exterior and interior. This style, popular in the 19th century, aimed to evoke the grandeur and spirituality of medieval cathedrals.

Stained Glass Windows: The cathedral houses a collection of beautiful stained glass windows, depicting scenes from the Bible and the lives of saints. These windows bathe the interior in colourful light, creating a serene and contemplative atmosphere.

Historic Significance: As the first cathedral built in Ireland after Catholic Emancipation in 1829, the Cathedral of the Assumption holds a special place in Irish history. It symbolises the resurgence of Catholicism in the country after centuries of oppression.

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.