The Gothic style Sacred Heart Church in local limestone and Newry Granodiorite is not especially old having been built in 1910 (with a significant extension in 1989).
In the late 1700s, despite some relaxation of the Penal Laws, Irvinestown’s Catholics were without a church building for worship and had to suffice with open air Mass celebrated in a garden beside the road at nearby Lisaroo.
In 1800, notwithstanding his own opposition to Catholic Emancipation, Colonel Mervyn Archdale, owner of the Castle Archdale estate in which the Mass garden was located gave the land to local Catholics. A modest church was constructed on the site.
Over time the congregation outgrew the Lisaroo church and it was replaced with the Sacred Heart Church in Irvinestown in 1910. The new site, donated by Hugh O’Reilly, was of sufficient size to also cater for a cemetery. I have referred to the cemetery in my Commonwealth War Graves – Irvinestown review, noting that it contains 10 World War II war graves which come under the auspices of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
Funding for the new church (1910) was raised within the parish. While the £5,500 raised proved sufficient for the main church building, the spire planned for the belfry-tower had to be foregone as it would have cost an additional (£500). It was added as part of the £700,000 1989 extension.
What especially appeals to me about church is the massive roof relative to the height of the walls, particularly noticeable when viewed from the rear of the church – my main picture. The wonderful curvature of the roof flows through to the inside of the church with beautiful beautiful wooden beam ceiling.
Well worth a look if you are in the area.
Address: Lisnarick Road, Irvinestown
Website: http://www.devenishparishirvinestown.com/
This blog entry is one of a group (loop) of entries based on many trips to Enniskillen. I suggest you continue with my next entry – The Lady of the Lake – or to start the loop at the beginning go to my introductory entry – “Fare thee well Enniskillen, ………..”
The Rambling Wombat 