Re: Re: reorganisation and destruction of irish catholic churches

I am very pleased to report that The Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Roscommon town is in pristine condition.

The Sanctuary
On St. Patrick’s Day 1925, the newly decorated sanctuary was unveiled. A Venetian artist, Signor Camorino, had been working on the decoration for a year.
The entire surface of the apse, 14 metres (45 ft) from floor to ceiling is done in mosaic. For the first 1.5 metres (4 ft), there is a mosaic drapery of a dark colour, relieved by gold and emerald ornamentation.
Above the drapery and immediately around the altar, there is a reproduction of a work of the great Florentine artist, Botticelli entitled “The Glory of the Angels”. This extends the whole length of the apse, a distance of 5.5 metres (18 ft). Over the “Glory of the Angels” seven separate panels extend across the apse. Four of these represent the four Evangelists, two on the right and two on the left. These are reproductions, on a reduced scale, of the work of Michelangelo in St. Peter’s in Rome.
The three panels in the centre are symbolic representations. On the left is the cross, symbol of the way to salvation; on the right, the palm of victory; and in the centre, the chalice and host. All are supported by angels.
Above the panels, and in the spaces between the stained glass windows are life-size figures of the following – St. Alphonsus, founder of the Redemptorists; St. Francis, founder of the Franciscans; St. Ignatius, founder of the Jesuits; St. Paul of the Cross, founder of the Passionists; St. Dominic, founder of the Dominicans and St. Augustine, whose rule was followed by the Augustinians.

The Ceiling of the Sanctuary
The decoration of the cupola is the work of Craftworkers Ltd, Dublin. This is a representation of the dedication of Ireland to the Sacred Heart. In the centre, the Sacred Heart is enthroned and before it, St. Patrick kneels with a scroll on which a map of Ireland is traced.
Around him are the Archbishops of the Irish provinces. Behind, are bishops, priests and laity, all making an offering of Ireland to the Sacred Heart. On the ceiling, angels are portrayed holding scrolls on which are written “Sanctissimo Cordi Jesu Laus Honor et Gloria”.
The remaining portion of the sanctuary is conventionally decorated with the vine, the lamb, the sealed book, the cross, the chalice and a variety of Eucharistic emblems.