1877 – Church of the Assumption, Delvin, Co. Westmeath

Architect: G.C. Ashlin

delvn-rcchurch

Fine French Gothic church designed by G.C. Ashlin. Not completed as originally designed, the spire never achieved its intended height. A story has it that the design wasn’t originally intended for Delvin, but was intended for Moate where it was rejected. The story continues that Ashlin met the parish priest of Delvin on a train and the connection was made, with his design being constructed here. Considering that the church in Moate was constructed in the 1860s, and would have been of recent construction, the story may not have much basis in fact. There is a fine aisled interior with the arches of the nave carried on polished stone shafts. The reredos and the side altars remain in situ but much of the original sanctuary fittings were removed.