12 February, 2016

St. Mary's Catholic Church

This is the 3rd stop on the heritage trail.

The foundation stone of this church was laid on 2nd February 1842. The first Mass was celebrated on Christmas Day 1843. The church was not finally complete until 1854.
The formal dedication by His Grace the Most Rev Dr Cullen, Archbishop of Dublin, was
postponed until 6th August 1854 on account of the Great Famine.  Alexander Murray, landlord of that part of Killybegs, had St Mary’s designed by his architect John Buonarotti Papworth. Murray also provided the site, and gave the single largest donation of IR£100. The church was built by the Very Rev William Drummond, P.P. As a Catholic church it is unique in Ireland and still
retains some of its original simplicity of design and character.  The present bell in the tower was
hung in 1950, being donated by the late Charles McIntyre of New Row.

Courtesy of the Maritime & Heritage Centre Brochure
I'm going to link this to Inspired Sunday, so come along and check out the others who participate.







17 comments:

  1. Nice little church, I like the first shot...

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  2. It's beautiful inside, not overdone as some Catholic churches can be. I love that spiral stairs!

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  3. I really love the reflection of the stained glass on the floor.

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  4. This reminds me so much of a church in Ballyshannon, visiting a friend whose daughter sang at mass! Lovely!

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  5. It is lovely. I like all the pointed arches, but I would probably have trouble getting up or down those spiral stairs!

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  6. St. Mary's is a lovely wee kirk Bill, j'adore the interior arches, divine!

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  7. St. Mary's is a lovely wee kirk Bill, j'adore the interior arches, divine!

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  8. It is a beauty! All the arches: door frame, altar and window frames are well-cordinated.

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  9. Wow, so many beautiful images.
    I especially like the stairs, the light and also the composition you did with the images.

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  10. i was trying to pick my favorite area, i enjoy the stair case. always a fan of those. love the front area, with the door, windows, so fancy. some one took much care to decorate and design this beauty!! i thank you kindly for sharing with us at InSPIREd Sunday!! so awesome. Happy Weekend! ( O : =

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  11. Fabulous, such wonderful details! The pews look so uncomfortable though. The floor sparkles.

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  12. What a magnificent looking church

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  13. Hello Bill!

    Very beautiful church had shown in the pictures.
    I admire its architecture
    I wish you a nice Sunday.
    Greetings from Poland.
    Lucja

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  14. Such a lovely little church. I like the arches a lot and the staircase is just gorgeous.

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  15. Marvelous images of a charming church!

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  16. That is a very nice church I like the gothic arches

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  17. Love how you captured the unique archways. Very pretty church.

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