1953 – Chapel, Cherry Orchard Hospital, Ballyfermot, Dublin
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