1964 – St. Patrick’s Church, Murlog, Lifford, Co. Donegal

Architect: Liam McCormick, Corr & McCormick

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Liam McCormick designed a total of seven churches in Donegal between 1961 and 1977, of which this is the second and largest. It shares several design features with the churches of his earlier period including the separate bell tower, shallow pitched roofs, mildly canted corners, and full-height windows lighting the interior. As the major walls are not at ninety degrees to each other, this creates a more complex roof shape. It has a traditional cruciform plan, with the sacristy located behind the sanctuary. The bell tower, separate from the main body of the church is linked to the main entrance of the church by a covered walkway. There are secondary doors on each of the transepts. The decoration to the exterior is limited to two mosaic panels by artist Oisín Kelly featuring the four evangelists in Gaelic style, named in Irish, each depicted by their traditional symbols of man, lion, ox, and eagle.

Internally over the junction of the nave and transepts the octagonal lantern floods the church with natural light. The most striking element of the church is the stained glass by Patrick Pollen which lines either side of the nave. The design features the words of St. Patrick’s Breastplate, inscribed in Celtic script and embellished with Celtic motifs.

Like all of McCormick’s church architecture, St. Patrick’s can be seen as a collaborative work with various Irish artists – including work by Oisin Kelly, Nell Murphy, Imogen Stuart, and Ray Carroll. There were alterations to the sanctuary by Richard Hurley & Associates in 1994 which directly impacted some of this work.
Directly opposite the main entrance is the old baptistery, built in an octagonal shape, now confessional rooms. Relocated inside the church, the baptismal font is octagonal in shape, carved by the artist Ray Carroll, reflecting the shape of the original baptistery. The cover for the baptismal font, made by Patrick McElroy, is copper with coloured enamel motifs.

The Stations of the Cross adorning the walls are by the sculptor Nell Murphy. The original altar was made with Kilkenny limestone panels carved by sculptor Ray Carroll – now used as reredos along the back wall. The tabernacle and candlesticks are by Patrick McElroy. Above these panels is the five metre tall crucifix by Imogen Stuart.

Published February 4, 2025