1965 – Library, Former St. Dominic’s Church, Athy, Co Kildare

An expressive hyperbolic paraboloid-roofed Catholic church built 1963-65 for the Dominican order. Designed by John Thompson (1917-88) working in collaboration with Father Phillip Pollock, Prior of Athy, with the hyperbolic paraboloid roof engineered by Stanislaus Kenny. Thompson and Pollock had previously worked together in Limerick when both were involved in the design and construction of a chapel dedicated to St. Martin de Porres.

The Dominicans had long used a smaller church attached to their priory; a large Georgian house previously known as Riverdale House. This church was deemed to be beyond repair. Pollock travelled abroad to view modern churches and in conjunction with Thompson chose an architectural style which was new for Ireland and is considered Ireland’s first modern church inspired by Vatican II.

During construction the large roof was completed first, and as it was expected that it was expand and contract subtly, the walls were constructed thereafter, a gap of one inch was left at the top of the walls – this can be seen at the top of the window mullions. Spanning 147ft from abutment to abutment, 226ft from tip to tip and rising to 67ft at its highest point, the roof was fêted as the largest of its kind at the time of construction.

The unusual features of the church were complimented by the artwork of George Campbell (1917-79) who executed the Stations of the Cross and the stained-glass windows, and the crucifix executed by Kildare artist, Bríd Ní Rinn (1936-). The Stations of the Cross were treated as two continuous friezes, with the scenes incised on abstract backgrounds of chocolate and cream-coloured travertine. In 2015, due to a lack of friars, the Dominicans vacated the property and passed the church and its property to the Kildare County council to be developed for community use. Deconsecrated in 2015 after the Dominicans left the town.

Reopened in May 2018 after conversion by Reddy Architecture + Urbanism into a new town library and community facility. The original abstract stained glass still exists, as does and quite bizarrely so as it is now a civic building, the cross which was over the sanctuary area, although minus its figure of Christ.