1881 – Design for St. Peter’s Church, Drogheda, Co. Louth

Unsuccessful design in competition for St. Peter’s Church which was won by O’Neill & Byrne.

“This design was submitted in the late competition for St. Peter’s Church. The conditions were that the existing vestries should remain, and that as much as possible of the cutstone of the present church should be utilised. Owing to the contracted nature of the site, the west front of a church erected there would be the only portion that calls for any ornamentation. The tower and spire were accordingly placed over the west doorway. The tower is 30 feet square, and rises to a height of 272 feet, including the cross, and would form a conspicuous feature in Drogheda. The sides and east end are comparatively plain, but are designed so as to harmonise with the west front. An organ-gallery was provided for in the tower, approached by circular stone staircases, the baptistery being on the right and a mortuary chapel on the left. The latter feature, it was suggested, might be made a means of preventing “wakes,” if the bodies were placed in the church until the morning of interment. The nave was 30 feet wide, 140 feet long, including apse, and 75 feet high, with timber-sheeted roof, with moulded ribs. The aisles are 15 feet wide, and transepts 30 feet by 85 feet across. The chancel is apsidal, with chapels of the Sacred Heart and B.V.M. at each side. At the Gospel side is a small chapel for the shrine or relics of Archbishop Plunkett. The nave consists of five bays, with moulded stone arches, supported by polished Aberdeen granite columns, with carved capitals. The chancel arch and tower arch would also have granite columns. It was estimated that the cost of the church, without orna mentation, would be 15,000. The author of the design is Mr. John L. Robinson, architect, of Dublin.” The Architect, June 25, 1881