Praxiteles
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Praxiteles has just finished rereading Alice in Wonderland as a prelude to reading Denis O’Callaghan’s effort to outdo Alice Taylor on the subject of life in Newmarket and environs (Alice, I may say has a ring of authenticity about her books sadly absent in the O’Callaghan script which has more the air of trying to be one of the lads at the local herrier club). What attracts Praxiteles to Putting Hand to the Plough is O’C’s account of the debacle surrounding the attempted wreckage of Cobh Cathedral. Without the slightest hint of shame, O’C admits that he was responsible for dragging the great Professor O’Neill into the fray in Cobh and tells us that he chose the Dublin guru to hack out the interior in whct O’C describes as a modest “conservative” re-ordering.
O’C telles us: “St. Colman’s Cthedral in Cobh is universally admired for its superb site and majectic beauty….It is for us a sacred trust to preserve and enhance that heritage as a monument to the living faith of the Irish then and now” . these, Praxiteles would contend, are, like most of the meanderings in the book, hollow words. If O’C, or indeed any of the Cobh clergy were in the slightest bit interested in Cobh Cathedral thy might spend a few bob on a can of paint for the doors that are quite literally rotting off their hinges.
O’C tells us the Steering Committee was e stablished to plan and direct the “thhe restoration and REORDERING” of Cobh Cathedral. This comes as a tardy admission that they had intent to wreck in mind from the outset though this wa vehemently denied lest it cause the flow of cash coming in to dry up. O’C, in a lucid moment, conjectures that the Steering Committee had been “aware that the Cathedral had been universally acclaimed as a gem of Gothic church architecture”. He supposed that they realized that “whatever was done would be subject to public scruitny right across Ireland and beyond”. All those persons on the Steering Committee cannot have been too worried about public scrutiny given that they do not care a damn that the place is literally falling to bits and has all the signs of a pigstey for lack of basic maintenance. The former head of the Steering Committee, Tom Cavanagh (aka Mr Titd Towns) was not that concerned to keep the place any way tidy and we certainly cannot hope for anything better from his successor to improve matters. Denis Murphy, a milkman from Mallow, has no interest in tidy towns as far as can be made out from any published material about him and even less in having a tidy Cathedral in Cobh.
Re the statue of Our Lady in Blackpool, I am fairly sure it is bthe one in Blackpool though I will double check in the light of Radioactiveman’s glow on the subject!
@Radioactiveman wrote:
On the subject of The Church of the Annunciation, Blackpool, a planning application is with cork city council regarding removing awindow to the rear/ sacristy of the church facing on to Thomas Davis Street, with a review to replacing it with a door to meet fire regulations for the boiler which is located within.
One more point (a minor one, I know), I think the last image praxiteles posted re. Blackpool church is incorrect. I don’t think its the Virgin Mary statue that is located in Blackpool, although it is similar.
Also, the CCC launched a number of walking tours focusing on the work of Seamus Murphy. Any idea if they are available on the web?Have you the planning application number for this one?
It migh be of interest to the Society for the Preservation of Historic Churches.
Re the Seamus Murphy walks of Cork City, I think you will find the information on the right hans side of the page on this following linlk. Unfortunately, I cannot seem to access it just now:
Today was the anniversary of the consecration of Cobh Cathedral and a suitable occasion to see of there was any interest in the evet. Indeed, rge present Parish Priest did manage to remember the occasion and lit the candles in front of the chrismatic marks in the nave of the Vathedral. Hiwever, in Cobh cathedral it is eithyer a feast or a famine. There seemed to be hundreds of usless candles and lights plastered around the place for no significant reason at all. Why the liturgical fiends in Cobh decided to plank candelabra in front of the name tags of the olarchial clergy appended to the confessionals is strange. Then, there was the hanging lamp from the ceiling of the pulpit. This tastefuly bit of brass bought in the local pound shop was supplied with about ten red lamps – lit from the stairs of the pulpit. It is possible that the protaginists here did not quite remark on the THEOLOGICAL incongruity of depending anything but WISDOM from the symbol of the Holy Spirit adorning the ceiling of the pulpit. So, the statement seems to be that anyone preaching in the pulpit was infused not with WISDOM and KNOWLEDGE as he spoke but nothing more than RED LIGHT {which is all liturgically bizzare}. Then there was the incongruity of putting half burned candles along the altar rail. How was one supposed to receive Holy Communion? Then there was the problem of hundreds of nightlights dispersed all over the High Altar, but the main candles themselves were not illuminated. While the local clergy were all honoured by a candle blazing outside their confessionals, it was not exactly theological or liturgical to leave the siden altars, especially that of Our Lady, without any form of illumination whatsoever. She was, quite literally, left in the dark. Needless to say, there was no hope of a candle for Blessed haddeus McCarthy; the Sacred Heart altar was likewise in darkness – a strange thing when you consider the inscriptions on the floor {which the diocesan liturgists and the parochial clergy are no longer able to read}; then there was the Pieta chapel, about which much fuss was made by the HACK and its hackers, which is now being used a dump or a store room with all sorts of junk up against the wall. The list could go on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on……
Any update on the state of the doors of Cobh Cathedral? Has the Urban District Council served a maintenance on the Trustees yet? This seems to be the best solution to the problem and should get things moving fast and before the onset of winter.
Some shots of the Church of the Annunciation, Blackpool, Cork, the gift of William Dwyer, built to designs by Seamus Murphy in 1947.
Re: Seamus Murphy, Cork sculptor
Here are some notes from the Cork diocesan website on Blackpool church designed by Seamus Murphy:
“The Church of the Annunciation on Great William O’Brien Street in Blackpool was officially dedicated on the 7th of October 1945. Its design was by the noted Blackpool stone carver Seamus Murphy.
The church was built by the staff of Sunbeam Wolsey (under Mick Callaghan, foreman) of which Mr. William Dwyer was the founder and Managing Director.
Seamus Murphy, a native of Mallow, had a stone yard on Watercourse road for many years. Other well-known works by Murphy include the bust of Michael Collins in Fitzgerald’s Park, the busts of Sean O Faolain and Frank O’Connor in the Cork City Library and the curious little water trough for dogs on St. Patrick’s Street.
The Church was designed and built as a replacement for Saint Nicholas’ Church, which stood on the site. Saint Nicholas’ was constructed in 1895 by adapting the Blackpool National School building, which then moved to Brockelsby Street. It was financed by Nicholas Murphy of Blarney Woollen Mills. A police barracks had also occupied part of the site.
The Church of the Annunciation is constructed of concrete blocks, stipple plastered inside and out. There is an 80 ft bell tower and two smaller towers that form the transepts. The stained glass, including the impressive crucifix, sanctuary windows and the picture gallery of Our Lord (Nave windows) are by Harry Clarke Studios in Dublin.
The tabernacle, lamp, candlesticks and other brasses were designed by Seamus Murphy and made by Gunnings in Dublin.
The stonework in the church is mostly by Murphy himself. His works include: The Annunciation Panel over the front door; The Annunciation Tablet on the exterior side wall; The Dwyer Plaque in the porch; The Baptismal Font originally at rear of the church, now near the altar; The Holy Water Fonts in polished black limestone; The Main altar depicting corn and grapes; The Children’s Altar depicting the Holy Family; and Our Lady’s Altar depicting a crowned angel and foliage.
The most striking stonework in the church includes the Madonna and Sacred Heart Statues on either side of the main altar. The Sacred Heart is in Portland stone with a marble base and was added to the church in 1947. It is 6ft high.
The Madonna was in the church in 1945 but was located on Our Lady’s altar. It has subsequently been moved to its present position. It is 5 ft 6 inch high and is signed “Seamus Murphy 45”.
The famous Irish Poet Patrick Kavanagh attended the dedication ceremony and wrote at the time: “Before entering the church after the dedication, an old fellow spoke to me; ‘Do you see that iron railing there? That was made in Cork and they say we can do nothing in Cork!’ I looked admiringly at the railing. ‘And do you see that door there? That was made in Cork! And they say we can make nothing in Cork!’ Then he walked off in disgust at the ignorance of non-Corkonians”.
At the dedication”ceremony, Fr. R J Dalton, CC, St. Peter and Paul’s, gave the sermon in which he praised, “this valley church, a church such as one sees nestling in the valleys amongst the mountain ranges of Europe”.
The building was re-roofed in 1980, the main altar was repositioned and some of the communion rails removed”.Re: Seamus Murphy, Cork sculptor
The following link has a very useful article:
Just in case it gets overlooked, this year is the centenary of the birth of the Cork sculptor, Seamus Murphy. Currently, there is an exhibition of his work in the Crawford gallery in Cork. The same institution has just published a catelogue of the exhibition introduced by a number of interesting articles on the sculptor (including one by Ken Thompson and another by Anne Wilson).
Curiously, the list of S. Murphy’s works published in this book omits mention of his having worked on the pulpit of St. Patrick’s Church, Fermoy, Co. Cork. If memory serves P. correctly, he has a description of working on the panels of the pulpit in Chapter V of Stone Mad. It is indeed ironic that all memory of this work should have receeded so deeply into the collective subconscious. The marble pulpit was one of major losses in the first round of valdalism to strike Irish churches in the 1970s. Not only was it removed from the church, it seems that it was quite literally pulverised as if to ensure that no trace would ever be seen or hear of it – a damnatio memoriae even more extensive that of Pharaonic Egypt. Praxiteles noted that Peter Murray, the editor of the present publication and director of the Crawford Gallery, makes no mention of the Fermoy pulpit and we hear not the keen of lament from the Crawford for its destruction – but then P. Murray is, if not mistaken, a member of the art and architecture committee advising the al-Wahaadi in the diocese of Cloyne.
For further information of Seamus Murphy see this link:
@Rhabanus wrote:
EXCELLENT LETTER! Here! Here! Mr Jim Kidney ought to be on whatever cathedral or diocesan committee that supervises the fabric of St Colman’s Cathedral.
Thanks, Gianlorenzo! Great work! I certainly look forward to reading more from Mr Kidney.
What is Cobh Urban District Council doing about the ongoing delapidation of St. Colman’s Cathedral? Where is the Cloyne HACK and what have they to say about the depletion of this historic church -which they would gladly demolish and replace a liturgical igloo if they could get away with it? Where is the famous Steering Committee of the Cathedral Restoration and what are they doing with the money collected for the restoration of the Cathedral? Has anyone heard anything from the “steadfast” Trustees since their abjection? And why is the bold bishop so quiet ion the subject of the maintenance of the Cathedral? Has the present parish priest of Cobh even noticed that the place is falling down around his prominent ears? Just where have all the soldiers gone on this one……?
@Rhabanus wrote:
EXCELLENT LETTER! Here! Here! Mr Jim Kidney ought to be on whatever cathedral or diocesan committee that supervises the fabric of St Colman’s Cathedral.
Thanks, Gianlorenzo! Great work! I certainly look forward to reading more from Mr Kidney.
But, that is exactly the problem with Copbh Cathedral: there is no institutionally organised maintenance of the building.
Church of the Immaculate Conception, Kanturk, Co. Cork
This must surely be the most hilarious piece of eccentricity ever seen. One has been attached to practically every pillar in the church. The pans are filled with sand and loaded with four candles. What it is for, well, I ahve not the slightest idea -unless the electricity supply in Kanturk is especially precarious.
Where were Declarations and Planning Application when these appendages were allowed into Kanturk church? Evdently, there is no liturgical justification for this rubbish.
Also, Praxiteles is informed that a new altar has made its appearance in the sanctuary in Kanturk. Since this is a major feature of any church interior, was a planning application amde with regard to its design, iconography, workmanship etc.? The view seems to be abroad among the al-Wahaadi that they can do what they like on this heading. Just remember, no plans were submitted in the case of Cobh Cathedral for the proposed new altar. Similarly, in Liscarroll, no plans were submitted with regard to the provision of a new altar. Is this acceptable to the Planning Authorities? Or, is a precedent being created?
Church of the Immaculate Conception, Kanturk, Co. Cork
And some more horrible examples of storm glazing from the sout side fot he church.
I am just wondering about those gutters. Are they original or what?
Church of the Immaculate Conception, Kanturk, Co. Cork
Some more examples of the brutal effects of storm glazing on the tracery of the window on the main facade.
Church of the Immaculate Conception, Kanturk, Co. Cork
The pulpit has survived in Kanturk Church -thanks to the strenuous efforts fo the faithful to ensure that it was not going to be wrecked.
The pulpit was made in 1892 for St. Patrick’s Church, Fermoy and cost £150. The signs of its original location are to be seen in the wide fleurion crowned arches of the fretwork which was executed to be in keeping with the interior of Fermoy. For some reason, the Fermoy pulpit was sold by Bishop Browne to the Parish Priest of Kanturk in 1897 for £100. The ceiling of the sound-board has a very fine dove representing the Holy Spirit. The pulpit left Fermoy for Kanturk in October 1897 and, thankfully, has survived dungeon, fire and sword up to now!
As a matter of interest, just note the awful colours of the re-painted Stations of the Cross.
The tell-tale signs: uneven numbers.
In the original doorway, the ashlar jam is made up of 7 stones from the foundation to the springing of the arch on both sides. The arch itself consists of 5 stones.
Now, however, the jamb consists of 6 stones on both sides and an arch of 5 stones [that probably constitutes an alteration to the character of a protected structure]. One stone on both sides has been submerged. To round off the falshood, the steps of the original door way have been removed, one of them has been brough forward to be flush with the jamb, whereas in the original arrangement, the step was recessed from the jamb.
Clearly, this kind of gratitutious vandalism must be corrected. The question is: was the conservation officer of Cork County Council aware of this behaviour?
Let’s keep watching this one!!
Church of the Immaculate Conception, Kanturk, Co. Cork
To return again to the before and after pictures of the sacristy doors, I notice that the steps have disappeared. Originally, there were two steps to the sacristy door. Now, the door flag is flush with the tarmac -which explains the presence of that small covered hole outside the door. Also, the difference in levels can be seen when compared with the door frame. Now the leve has reaced the chamfer of the corner stone.
And another detail, the cast iron boot-scraper: where is it?
Is this arrangement going to be permitted when the entire curtelege of the church is going to be “landscaped”.
@ake wrote:
Another unstencilled mess. Lovely stained glass. Any old photographs of the interior?
The stencil work disappeared here in the early 1960s. They were obviously too expensive to reproduce.
Still looking for older pictures.
St. Mary’s Church, Buttevant, Co. Cork
These three photographs allow us to evaluate the “positive” effects of stornglazing on the tracery of the south window. The first photograph dates from c. 1900 and the others from c. 1995.
And, it also affords the opportunity to contrast the effects on the architectural composition and massing of the church deriving from the inversion of the crosses on the west and south gables.
