Survey Data
Reg No
14306032
Rating
Regional
Categories of Special Interest
Architectural, Artistic, Historical, Social, Technical
Original Use
Church/chapel
In Use As
Church/chapel
Date
1895 - 1905
Coordinates
255643, 280142
Date Recorded
19/04/2002
Date Updated
--/--/--
Description
Detached cruciform-plan church, built in 1899. Three-stage bell tower and broach spire, c.1930, to north-west corner. Sacristy to south-east corner. Rock-faced limestone walls with buttresses, quoins and string courses. Ashlar limestone dressings to pointed arch openings with stained glass windows. Polished granite columns flank timber battened double doors with decorative hinges. Pitched slate roofs with ridge cresting and stone cross finials. Retains some original interior features.
Appraisal
Saint Brigid's church, with its road side location and tall spire, creates a distinct impression when entering Oldcastle from the east. Designed by W.H. Byrne and built by a Mr. P. Nolan, it replaced an earlier church which was built in 1815. The foundation stone was laid on October 15th 1899. In 1930 the bell tower was completed with the spire. The architectural quality of this building is immediately apparent. The variation in the treatment of the stone work creates an interesting textural effect. The interior of the church is warm, bright and extremely colourful, which is in direct contrast to the limestone exterior. It is elaborately decorated with luxurious materials. This church is an excellent example of late nineteenth century church design. The church is associated with Saint Oliver Plunkett.