1924 – Lady of Lourdes Church, Moneyglas, Toomebridge, Co. Antrim

The foundation stone of the church was laid in 1919 built to the designs of a well-regarded Belfast architect in a Victorian Gothic style. McDonnell produced many buildings across the north of Ireland for the Roman Catholic church including halls, convents, presbyteries, and churches. Renovated in the early 1990s, the interior was reordered but retains its original details and character, including a listed organ and stained glass by Mayer.

“This church is in course of erection for the Very Rev. John O’Nolan, P.P., V.F. The plan consists of nave and transepts, with sanctuary and side chapels. The total length of the interior of the church and sanctuary is 130 ft., the width of the nave is 34 ft., and the width across the transepts is 72 ft. 6 ins. The sanctuary is the full width of the nave for half its length, and the eastern end 20 ft square. The height of the nave from the floor to the apex of the roof is 50 ft., and of the sanctuary 39 ft. The north and south chapels are each 22 ft. long and 14 ft. wide, and 20 ft. high from the floor to the apex of the roof. The tower is 10 ft. square internally, and with the spire will reach a height of 156 ft. to the top of the cross. The exterior elevations are executed in local blue stone, with limestone dressings. The interior joinery and roofs will be in oak, and the floor in wood blocks, mosaic and terrazzo. The heating will be by the low-pressure hot-water system. The contractors for the work are Messrs. Robert Gilchrist & Son, Ltd., of Belfast and Glasgow. The limestone is being supplied from the Ballyduff Quarries, Tullamore, Queen’s Co., and the architects are Messrs. McDonnell, Lamont & McDonnell, of 27, Chichester-street, Belfast.”
The Builder, April 28, 1922