1964 – Corpus Christi Church, Moyvane, Co. Kerry

Commissioned in 1960, and consecrated on the 21st April 1964, this church by Ronnie Tallon is a stark break with the church architecture of Ireland from Independence. In contrast to the work of Liam McCormick in the northern part of the island, this church isn’t rooted into any Irish vernacular building tradition but a work of pure Miesian modernism. Sat on a concrete podium that continues through the building as the floor, the church has a fully glazed entrance façade. Continuous clerestory windows set within the beams that support the roof line both sides. Inside teak clad volumes contain confessionals at the entrance end, with the sacristy and vestry behind the sanctuary. This gives an unbroken view of the interior roof creating an air of spaciousness and light in what is quite a small church.

Like many churches of the period, artwork was commissioned from leading Irish artists. The church contains work by sculptors Oisín Kelly (1915-1981) and Imogen Stuart (1927-2024), and Stations of the Cross wall hangings by Leslie MacWeeney (1936-2026).

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