CHURCH OF THE MIRACULOUS MEDAL

18/09/2023

This church is located on Bird Avenue and I have photographed it a number of times recently as I am in the area about twice every week.

The Church of the Immaculate Virgin Mary of the Miraculous Medal was built in 1965 but it has an interesting history. Back in 1954, a competition was held to design a Catholic Church in Clonskeagh. It had to be large enough to accommodate 1,700 people, and cost no more than £150,000. More than a hundred submissions were received which was a record at the time. All shortlisted proposals were modernist designs but, mysteriously, the building that was eventually selected by Archbishop John Charles McQuaid was not one of them.

WINDY ARBOUR 18 SEPTEMBER 2023

18/09/2023

Windy Arbour has a number of shops, a supermarket, post office, pharmacy and a bakery. It is also home to several takeaways and restaurants. There is a primary school in Columbanus Estate known as Our Lady's National School, Clonskeagh. The area is served by Windy Arbour Luas stop and by the number 17, 44 and 61 bus routes. With the exception of the 17 which has a frequency of 20 minutes the buses are infrequent so using the tram service is highly recommended.

WHEN I VISITED TULLY CHURCH

05/09/2023

Going forward I would have some concerns about this site being exposed to vandalism because of the increase in population in the immediate vicinity.

The last time I visited the church was effectively isolated close to the end of a remote tree lined country lane and access to the grounds was blocked by metal barriers. There was evidence that a major construction had stalled or even abandoned. Today, it was very different as you can see from this series of photographs.

Tully Church lies in Laughanstown (variously spelled Lehaunestown, Lehaunstown).  It is located in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown, 500 m south-southeast of Laughanston Luas stop (Green Line).

The original church structure dates to the 6th–9th centuries AD. One ancient name is Telach-na-nun ecspop (Tullow of the bishops) and it must have been an important venue if bishops met there. There is a legend that seven bishops started out from there to visit St Brigid at Kildare. Elsewhere these bishops are mentioned as the "Seven Bishops of Cabinteely" (Alice Curtayne, Saint Brigid of Ireland)

In 1179 the Church was granted to the Priory of The Holy Spirit.

The chancel, which is wider than the nave, was added in the late 12th or early 13th century by the Normans. The unusually larger chancel was added to the nave during the early 13th century and has a rounded arch and two rounded headed east windows. The nave dates to the 13th century.

The church was in use up to about 1615. It came under the authority of Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin who supplied clergy to keep it going. It was reported to be in good condition when inspected in 1615, but according to a report in 1630 had been badly damaged in recent storms. After that it was abandoned and fell into ruin.

MEMORIAL TO DOCTOR WILLIAM ASHFORD

31/08/2023

William Ashford, who for many years was an apothecary and general practitioner at Ballsbridge, and died at his residence, No. 1 Serpentine Avenue, on 15th July, 1892, in his 80th year. A pillar memorial to him was erected at Irishtown in 1893, commemoration of his services for half a century to the poor of the parish.

His grandfather was William Ashford [1746-1824] the well known English landscape painter who worked exclusively in Ireland.

The memorial is a simple pillar made of limestone. It is about 10 feet tall and has a plaque on the front that reads:

IN MEMORY OF

DR WILLIAM ASHFORD

APOTHECARY AND GENERAL PRACTITIONER

WHO DIED 15TH JULY 1892

IN HIS 80TH YEAR

THIS MONUMENT IS ERECTED BY THE POOR OF THE PARISH

IN GRATEFUL REMEMBRANCE OF HIS BENEVOLENCE AND KINDNESS