1901 – St. Patrick’s Church, Broomfield, Donaghmoyne, Co. Monaghan

“On Sunday the new Church of St. Patrick, Broomfield, Donaghmoyne, was solemnly dedicated by the Most Rev. Dr. Owens. The new church is an imposing building, situate on the ‘main road from Carrickmacross to Castleblayney. There is nothing extravagant about it— no superfluous lavishing of expenditure for the sake of mere grandeur, but it is plain and substantial, yet handsome in its proportions, and in the perfection of its workmanship. The church, which is designed in the early English Gothic style, is cruciform in plan, and contains large nave, north and south transepts, chancel, and priests’ and boys’ sacristies.

There is also provided a spacious gallery, which is reached by means of a staircase contained in the belfry tower, which is placed to the south side of the principal entrance. The Avails of the edifice are built of solid limestone masonry from the local quarries, which also supplied, together with sheephouse, the chiselled limestone dressings, sills, and heads of windows and doors, cornices, corbels, etc. The church is lined internally with brickwork. The roof is formed with pitch pine panels, between moulded principals of the same material. The arches between transepts and nave are supported by beautiful polished Aberdeen granite columns, with moulded limestone bases and carved capitals. The windows are filled with cathedral glass of choice tints. The beautiful High Altar, which is composed of statuary marble and Caen stone, was made by Mr. E. Sharp, of Dublin. The beautiful pulpit of carved oak, was manufactured from the architect’s designs by Messrs. Rogers and Kerley, Clanbrassil-street, Dundalk.

The whole work, including furniture, pulpit, altar, etc., was executed by Mr. James Wynne, builder, Dundalk, according to the designs, and under the superintendence of the architect, Mr. George L. O’Connor, M.R.I.A.I., of Great Brunswick-street, Dublin. It is computed that the church will accommodate 1,000 persons.” The Irish Builder, October 21, 1901