Church

NATIVITY OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

April 14, 2024 by infomatique

CATHOLIC CHURCH ON CHAPELIZOD ROAD

Chapelizod holds a significant place in Irish religious history. Its churches primarily reflect the historically dominant Roman Catholic tradition, along with a Church of Ireland presence.

This church has a significant place in Chapelizod’s history. Designed by John Bourke and built following Catholic Emancipation, it opened in 1849.

The church’s Gothic-Revival style is striking. Its dark limestone, buttresses, pinnacles, and stained-glass windows create an imposing yet beautiful structure. An interesting quirk is its elevated position on a crypt, intended to keep it safe from floods.

While the reordered interior is comparatively plain, it features a rib-vaulted ceiling and a commemorative marble stoup within the tower.

St. Laurence’s Church of Ireland is a much smaller but charming church that serves/served the Anglican community in the area. It does appear that the church building itself is currently not in active use for regular worship. It’s listed on the ‘Buildings at Risk’ register, indicating concern for its condition. Despite its current state, St. Laurence’s holds historical importance. It dates back to medieval times, with the current structure built in the early 18th century. While the building may not host regular services, it’s possible that the Church of Ireland community uses associated buildings for meetings or other purposes.

IT IS HARD TO BELIEVE BUT THIS CHURCH IS NAMED AFTER A PUB

March 14, 2024 by infomatique

MERCHANTS QUAY CHURCH

It was difficult to capture well formed images as the FX30 does not perform well under poor lighting conditions.

Adam and Eve’s Church: A Franciscan Legacy on Dublin’s Merchants Quay

The Church of the Immaculate Conception, more affectionately known as Adam and Eve’s, stands as a landmark along Dublin’s Merchants Quay. This Roman Catholic church, with its rich history and warm Franciscan spirit, offers a blend of tradition and welcoming community.

A Story Woven Through Time

The Franciscans have a long connection to the site, dating back to the 13th century. Their friary, suppressed during the Reformation, saw a clandestine revival in the 17th century. Locals cleverly disguised the chapel by making the entrance through the Adam and Eve Inn, giving rise to the church’s beloved nickname. The current church, built in 1834, has undergone transformations but retains its essence.

Architectural Highlights

Imposing Facade: The neoclassical facade, designed by Patrick Byrne, lends an air of grandeur to the streetscape.
Inspiring Interior: Inside, visitors find a spacious and well-lit nave that inspires quiet reflection.
Impressive Organ: The church boasts a magnificent pipe organ, said to be among the largest in a Catholic church in Dublin. Its music enriches the worship experience.

A Heart of the Community

Adam and Eve’s serves not only as a place of worship, but as a centre for community support. The Franciscan Friars actively engage in outreach programs, offering aid and compassionate care to those living on the margins.

Experiencing Adam and Eve’s

Attend Mass: Participate in a celebration of faith and witness the welcoming spirit of the Franciscan community.
Admire the Art: Stained glass windows, paintings, and statues offer opportunities for artistic contemplation.
Take in a Concert: The church occasionally hosts musical performances, showcasing its grand organ and resonant acoustics.
Whether you seek spiritual connection, architectural interest, or the warmth of community, Adam and Eve’s Church opens its doors as a distinctive part of the Dublin experience.

THE CHURCH OF THE SACRED HEART AND THE HISTORIC MILITARY CEMETERY AT ARBOUR HILL

February 24, 2024 by infomatique

SATURDAY 24 FEBRUARY 2024

The Church of the Sacred Heart at Arbour Hill, located in Dublin 7, holds historical and symbolic significance. Here are the key details:

The church was given the title “Church of the Defence Forces” in 1997 when Collins Barracks (located across the road) closed. Historically, this location is significant because it houses the remains of leaders who died during the Easter Rising of 1916, including Pearse and Connolly.

The church forms part of a tripartite façade known as Arbour Hill Prison.
It is linked to the prison’s main entrance by screen walls extending to the Governor’s House.
Designed by Jacob Owen in 1835 and later rebuilt by Joshua Webb in 1845, the complex was completed in 1848.
The interior features an elaborate cruciform design and a stained glass window by the Harry Clarke Studios behind the altar.
An unusual entrance porch leads to twin galleries for visitors in the nave and transept.
The church also boasts a Celtic round tower rising from a rectangular base.

The military cemetery at Arbour Hill is the last resting place of 14 of the executed leaders of the 1916 Rising. It is therefore a place of pilgrimage for students and aficionados of this tempestuous moment in Irish history.

The clear focus of Arbour Hill is the legend of the rising. Among those buried here are Patrick Pearse, James Connolly and Major John MacBride. Their bodies were put into an unmarked pit and covered with quicklime, but their grave has now been saved from obscurity with an impressive memorial inscribed in English and Irish.

Arbour Hill Cemetery is at the rear of the National Museum of Ireland, Collins Barracks, where you can currently find a large display of 1916-related material.

FR MEADTHE MEMORIAL CROSS AT THE DOMINICAN CHURCH IN DROGHEDA

October 20, 2023 by infomatique

PHOTOGRAPHED 18 APRIL 2011 BEFORE THE CHURCH BECAME INACTIVE

MY OCTOBER 2023 VISIT TO DROGHEDA

The solemn opening of St. Magdelene’s Dominican Church took place on the 15th September 1878 about eight years after the commencing of the building

The dedication was performed by Primate Archbishop McGettigan accompanied by D. Leahy OP. Bishop of Dromore. There was Solemn High Mass at which the Primate presided attended by Dr Leahy.

Drogheda-born Fr Meadthe who was instrumental in having the church built was also present. According to the inscription on the high cross he died the following year at the age of 59.

The surname of the priest is unusual but the spelling appears to be correct.

MEMORIAL CROSS

SAINT BRIGID’S CHURCH OF IRELAND CHURCH

October 9, 2023 by infomatique

CASTLEKNOCK VILLAGE

Detached Church of Ireland church, built 1806, with three-stage tower to west gable. Flanking side aisles added c.1860, comprising three-bay side elevations with gabled terminating bays to east forming transepts. Stained glass window dedicated to Saint Hubert by Harry Clarke.

In May 1177, Henry II and Hugh de Lacy granted 12,001 acres of land in Castleknock to Hugh Tyrell, first Baron of Castleknock. A copy of the charter of the grant in Latin was discovered in 1933 by Eric St. John Brooks in the London Public Records Office. In 1185, Richard Tyrell, son of Hugh Tyrell, gave a grant to the Benedictine monks from the Abbey of Little Malvern in Worcestershire to endow a religious house in Castleknock in honour of St. Brigid.

They founded a monastery beside St. Brigid’s Well called the Abbey of St. Brigid in Castleknock and it was a dependent priory of Little Malvern. The lands and priory were transferred to the ownership of St. Mary’s Abbey in 1486 and on the dissolution of the monasteries after Henry VIII broke with Rome, it became the property of the Luttrell family. The first church was built here in 1609 on the site of the monastery of St. Brigid. In 1803, the foundation stone was laid by Hans Hamilton for the re-building of St. Brigid’s, the present day Castleknock parish church.