Dublin

IRISHTOWN GOSPEL HALL 1904

September 16, 2024 by infomatique

I USED A ZEISS BATIS 85mm LENS TODAY

The inscription is a bit misleading as it was originally a school which was established in 1904.

Irishtown Gospel Hall: From Schoolhouse to Spiritual Centre

The Irishtown Gospel Hall, standing on Irishtown Road, is a testament to adaptive reuse and community spirit. The building wasn’t originally designed as a place of worship; it began life in 1904 as St. Matthew’s National Schools. This is reflected in its solid granite construction and distinctive red brick dressings, typical of school buildings of that era.

Design and Construction

The architect behind the original schoolhouse was J.F. Fuller, a name associated with several educational and ecclesiastical buildings in Dublin. The construction was likely funded by a combination of public funds and contributions from local philanthropists, as was common for National Schools at the time.

Transformation into a Gospel Hall

At some point in the 20th century, the building ceased functioning as a school and was repurposed as a Gospel Hall. This likely reflects shifting demographics and educational needs in the Irishtown area. The congregation that occupied the hall for many years, the Abundant Grace Christian Assembly, had previously been based in the more elaborate Merrion Hall in the city centre.

Present Day Ownership

While records on the precise ownership of the building are not readily available, it is likely held by a religious trust or organisation associated with the Abundant Grace Christian Assembly. However, in recent years, the building has also been used to host events beyond traditional Christian worship, reflecting a broader community-focused approach.

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.

THE PAPAL CROSS

April 14, 2024 by infomatique

A LANDMARK IN PHOENIX PARK

The Papal Cross: A Landmark of Faith and History in Phoenix Park

Located in Dublin’s sprawling Phoenix Park, the Papal Cross stands as a stark and imposing monument commemorating Pope John Paul II’s historic visit to Ireland in 1979. This 35-meter (115-foot) tall, white steel cross served as the central backdrop for a momentous open-air Mass celebrated by the Pope, attended by over one million people.

History

A Monument to a Moment: The Papal Cross was designed by the renowned architects Scott Tallon Walker and erected hastily in the weeks before Pope John Paul II’s arrival. Despite being intended as a temporary structure, the cross garnered immense symbolic power and has become a permanent feature of Phoenix Park.

Enduring Symbol: The cross was once again a focal point during Pope Francis’s visit to Ireland in 2018. It stands as a reminder of the deep, though recently complex, relationship between Ireland and the Catholic Church.

Architecture

Stark Simplicity: The Papal Cross is a study in stark minimalism. Its design comprises simple steel beams painted white, forming a Latin cross that dominates the surrounding parkland.

Engineering Feat: The cross is notable for its size and the engineering skill required for its construction. It took several attempts to erect due to high winds.

Significance

Faith and Nation: The Papal Cross marks a turning point in Irish history, reflecting a time when the Catholic Church held enormous influence in the nation. It is a symbol of deep-rooted faith for many but also a reminder of the Church’s changing role in modern Ireland.
Controversies: The cross has faced some calls for removal, with critics arguing it’s an overly dominant religious symbol in a public park or that it represents a painful part of Irish history associated with Church scandals.

Landmark: Regardless of its religious meaning, the Papal Cross has become an iconic Dublin landmark, its vast silhouette visible from many parts of the city.

Visiting the Papal Cross

The Papal Cross is freely accessible within Phoenix Park. You can walk or cycle to it, appreciating its impressive scale within the park’s landscape. A plaque near the cross commemorates Pope John Paul II’s 1979 Mass.