HIGH CROSS AT ENTRANCE TO ST. PETER’S CHURCH – PHIBSBOROUGH DUBLIN 7
This cross was carved with a skull and cross bones above four symbols of the weakness and guilt of humanity. These from left to right are the cock, reflecting the betrayal of Jesus Christ by St Peter, a pillar symbolising his scourging, a serpent reflecting the fall from grace of the garden of Eden and finally the crown of thorns.
The high cross also has a carving of a whip on each corner.
The church designed by Weightman, Hadfield and Goldie in the mid-nineteenth century, replacing a smaller pre-Emancipation chapel on the same site. Following an appeal for funds in 1902 by Archbishop William Walsh, George Coppinger Ashlin of Ashlin and Coleman was engaged to enlarge and remodel the building. Ashlin removed the preexisting nave and tower, adding an impressive 60m high tower and spire and a taller, grander nave.
The interior contains a number of well-executed stained-glass windows, including two compositions by Harry Clarke. The four twin-light windows in the mortuary chapel are unusual abstract compositions dating to 1924, incorporating recycled glass from other commissions. The ‘Adoration of the Sacred Heart’, which dates to 1919, is one of Clarke’s early masterpieces. The building design skilfully exploits the wedge-shaped site at the intersection of the Cabra and North Circular Roads. The spire is a prominent landmark which dominates the local skyline. Initially was a chapel of ease to St. Paul’s, Arran Quay before passing into the hands of the Vincentian Order in the 1830s. Together with the neighbouring presbytery, Saint Peter’s forms part of an important group of ecclesiastical buildings.
MARIAN STATUE – MARY QUEEN OF LOURDES ON FAUSSAGH ROAD ROUNDABOUT
Today I used a ten year old Sony NEX-7 camera combined with a Zeiss Batis 25mm lens. The Batis is a favourite of mine.
Bliain na Maidine (Marian Year) 1954 Erected by parishioners and friends A Mhuire A Bhainrion Lourdes Guidh Orainn (Mary, Queen of Lourdes, pray for us)
Other than the fact that this was erected in 1954 I cannot find much information about this statue. Back in 2013 the City Council had agreed to undertake some repair work as well as replacing the cross but I cannot find any documentation to indicate that such work has been completed. However, the installation is in good condition.
If you are not from Ireland you may be unaware of ‘Marian Statues’ and if you are younger than 35 or 40 you may also be unaware of them and even if you pass any of them on a daily basis you may not have given them much thought.
There are about 20 or 30 in Dublin alone and most of them are located on public land in what were working class areas back in the 1950s. One or two are located on private property with the statue at Broadstone Station being one example.
Most were financed and erected ahead of the Marian Year of 1954 when entire communities mobilised to have a statue in their area. If you were female and you were born in 1954 there is a very strong possibility that your name is Marian or some version of that name.
The majority are still well-kept and regularly maintained by a dedicated groups or dedicated individuals but at times it can be difficult to determine who actually maintains them.
You must be logged in to post a comment.