1888 – Church of the Holy Family, Kiltimagh, Co. Mayo

A new priest to the parish in 1887 led to a fast-tracked design and construction of this W.H. Byrne church. The previous church was in poor condition and was demolished that year. The new church was built during 1888 and dedicated by on December 16th, 1888. Kiltimagh was very poor at this time, so emigrants from the area were approached for donations to fund construction.

An unusual addition to the original church was a large porch added to the main front in 1914-16 providing more space, a mortuary chapel and a baptistry. This was described in the Irish Builder as an “improvement” of the church and built to a design supplied by William Henry Byrne and Son. The interior has been re-ordered but contains late 19th and early 20th century stained glass and a fine exposed timber roof.