1953 – Chapel, Cherry Orchard Hospital, Ballyfermot, Dublin

Architect: Alan Hope

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Cherry Orchard Fever Hospital was commissioned to replace the aging Cork Street Fever Hospital and opened in November 1953. The buildings and gardens covered 74 acres, with a cost of building and equipping the new hospital at £958,578. There were 11 separate single-storey blocks of wards, an oratory, gate lodge, sports grounds, a swimming pool and rooms for staff. The church like the rest of the complex was designed by Alan Hope. The exterior is simple – roughcast rendered with paired pointed headed windows in the nave, and a small copper clad bellcote over the sanctuary end. The interior features a lovely laminated wooden beam roof with wooden panelling to window level and grey brick to upper level of walls. Originally there was a pair of intricate bronze St. Brigid’s Cross gates to the sanctuary. The Stations of the Cross are cast.

Published January 23, 2025