1974 – Mary Mother of Mercy Church, Inniskeen, Co. Monaghan
Freestanding irregular-plan and rendered Roman Catholic church, designed at a modest cost and intended to seat 650 parishioners. It has curved walls rising to form a conical tower at north end, with a lower conical roof supported on curved walls forming main body of church. There was a suggestion by the architects that the round form was a reference to the nearby round tower. The interior features curved walls bringing focus to the sanctuary which is off centre. The ceiling is supported by curved laminated timber beams radiating from the highest point above the altar. The curved walls and asymmetrical aspect are a good example of the expressionist slant of Irish church architecture in the latter part of the twentieth century. Two adjacent residences for the priests also feature some curving exterior walls.
Published November 11, 2024