News

Ireland's `greatest building' celebrates golden jubilee

Innovative design inside St Aengus's church at Burt in County Donegal. Picture by Margaret McLaughlin
Innovative design inside St Aengus's church at Burt in County Donegal. Picture by Margaret McLaughlin Innovative design inside St Aengus's church at Burt in County Donegal. Picture by Margaret McLaughlin

THE fiftieth anniversary of the opening of a church which changed the face of Catholic architecture in Ireland will be celebrated this weekend.

Voted Ireland's `building of the century' by Irish architects, St Aengus's at Burt on the Derry/Donegal border changed the design of modern churches.

Designed by award-winning architect, Liam McCromick, it took its inspiration from the nearby Grianan of Aileach Celtic sun-fort. Grianan is a Celtic stone fort, built in a perfect circle. Constructed by the O'Neill dynasty, it is on a site dating back to 1,700 BC.

In building a round church, McCormick moved away from the traditional cruciform churches of the past.

He also incorporated other innovative techniques after persuading then Catholic bishop Neil Farren to move away from conservative design. These included a spectacular off-centre copper spire.

St Aengus's priest, Fr Fintan Diggin said parishioners' pride was reflected in their enthusiastic approach to Sunday's anniversary.

"On a daily basis we see tourists stopping off at the church, by the car and even the bus load from all over Europe. They take a walk around the church and then go on up to Grianan," he said.

Bishop Donal McKeown and other clergy will celebrate a Mass of Thanksgiving on Sunday at 3pm.