Organ Cases In Irish Churches and Cathedrals

[Fearg]

Since this was touched upon in another thread, I thought I'd start a fresh one. Its interesting how organ cases are designed to fit in with and match the host building, each being a unique piece of art as well as a musical instrument.

Attached we have the cases in St Peters Belfast, Clonard Monastery (Pipes removed for safe keeping whilst west front is restored), Armagh, Derry (with no visible pipes), Trinity College Chapel (oldest example here, dating from the 1700s http://www.music.qub.ac.uk/~tomita/baroque/9bar-organ.htm)

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[Paul Clerkin]

St Macartan's Monaghan - Telford Organ

[Praxiteles]

Ferg!

What a splendid idea.

Here is the organ case in Maynooth College Chapel (JJ. McCarthy:

[Praxiteles]

St. Colman's Cathedral, Cobh, Co. Cork

The organ was installed by Telford in 1905. The first organ was dismantled and re-assembled by Canon Sheehan in the Parish Church in DOneraile, Co. Cork.

[Fearg]

Here is Killarney - does anyone have a photo of the case before it was divided?

Probably one of the smallest cathedral organs in ireland (only 2 manuals) in one of the largest cathedrals!

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[Fearg]

Galway, although its not really a case as such!

http://www.galwaycathedral.org/recitals/cathorg.html

[Praxiteles]

Doneraile, Co. Cork

The original organ from Cobh Cathedral

[Fearg]

Enniscorthy:

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Kilkenny:

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[Praxiteles]

St. Peter and Paul's, Kilmallock, Co. Limerick (JJ.McCarthy)

[Praxiteles]

The Cathedral of the Assumption of Our Lady, Tuam, Co. Galway

Here is the organ case, but I would not be certain that there is anything in it.

[Fearg]

The Cathedral of the Assumption of Our Lady, Tuam, Co. Galway

Here is the organ case, but I would not be certain that there is anything in it.

There is - its another Compton Organ, similar to the one in Derry, except this time they have put some dummy pipes in front of it (to hide the swell boxes - Compton organs are usually fully enclosed like this). Mullingar also has a similar organ, although on a much larger scale - http://www.iol.ie/~rod/organ/specs/westmeath/wmh_mullcath.html

[Praxiteles]

There is - its another Compton Organ, similar to the one in Derry, except this time they have put some dummy pipes in front of it (to hide the swell boxes - Compton organs are usually fully enclosed like this). Mullingar also has a similar organ, although on a much larger scale - http://www.iol.ie/~rod/organ/specs/westmeath/wmh_mullcath.html

But, those three things at the back, in the case, are three white sheets. They are perfectly visible in the larger version of this picture that I reduced.

[Praxiteles]

St. Muredach's Cathedral, Ballina, Co. Mayo

[Fearg]

But, those three things at the back, in the case, are three white sheets. They are perfectly visible in the larger version of this picture that I reduced.

I think those are pipes, they are dummies and probably not of the highest quality. I admit, they do look a little "sheet like" in the photo! possibly a trick of the light, you can see what at least appear to be the mouths of the pipes at the bottom?

[Michael J. O'Brien]

See Organ case in the Gold Salon of Carton House Maynooth:

This is in the centre of the picture.

The is also a house outside Ennis, Co. Clare that has an organ case that fits into half of the octagonal entrance hall. It is called New... (something) House.

[Praxiteles]

St. Brendan's Cathedral, Loughra, Co. Galway

[Fearg]

Forner South Transept Organ of Armagh Cathedral, removed to another church in 2003:

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Detail of the Grand Organ:

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[Praxiteles]

Why was that shifted?

[Fearg]

It was situated in the south transept where the blessed sacrament chapel is now located, so I suppose it was in the way. It was only installed in the mid 80's when the grand organ was unplayable.

[ctesiphon]

The is also a house outside Ennis, Co. Clare that has an organ case that fits into half of the octagonal entrance hall. It is called New... (something) House.

Newhall House?

[Praxiteles]

The recently gutted (per Richard Hurley) Augustinian Church in Galway:

[Fearg]

St Columb's cathedral, Derry - this case is empty, organ proper is in the north aisle side chapel.

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[Rhabanus]

The recently gutted (per Richard Hurley) Augustinian Church in Galway:

Another puritanical windsweep. Can't leave well enough alone.

Note how the western ends of these churches have maintained their gravitas whereas the eastern ends (sanctuaries) are now exercises in levitas, or worse.

[Praxiteles]

St. Mel's Cathedral, Longford

[Michael J. O'Brien]

Newhall House?

That's it. Beautiful house.

I was reading about it somewhere lately, possibly in Maurice Craig's new book. The front of house is very formal and probably 19th century. The back return of the house is much older and potentially more historically significant. It definitely features in Hugh Weir's houses of Clare book.

This house to the best of my knowedlge is not open to the public. The house next door to it Edenvale House is currently being converted into a hotel/guest house. This house was most recently a private house (for a UK DJ) and up to about 20 years ago was a/an hospital.