SAINT PATRICK'S CHURCH AND HALL GALWAY CITY

This year I spent three days in Galway and it rained most of the time and at times it was very heavy.

On Monday [18 June 2018] it stopped raining for about two hours but it was late in the day and the sunlight was very intense and this resulted in many problems for me as I was using a 15mm manual Voigtlander which introduces a degree of distortion and lens flare. If had intended to return later and photograph the interior but because of the weather I did not get the opportunity to revisit.


As it is not mentioned in any tourist guides or listings I found the modern St. Patrick’s church by accident a few years ago.

In 2015 I did notice the old church but as the gates were locked I could not gain access and was therefore unaware that there was a new modern church beside it. Last year I noticed a small narrow lane off Eyre Square [St. Patrick’s Avenue] and at the end of the lane I discovered an open gateway which provide access the church grounds and then I discovered that there were two buildings. There is also a third entrance at Foster street which appears to be open all of the time [don't ask why I never noticed it before].

The original church was built in 1842 but later modified making it less ornate. More recently This former church has been modified to provide two floors of accommodation for its present use as a hall, a change of use which continues a social and community function. The ashlar limestone front elevation to this simple structure displays finely detailed Gothic Revival features and gives it an imposing presence. The high quality of carved and cut-stone details in the various elevations and window and door openings adds interest to the building.