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Sacred Heart Donnybrook

Church of the Sacred Heart, Donnybrook

DonnybrookEarly French Gothic; granite with Bath stone dressings

This church is still ahead. Its chapter will be written when its visit comes.

§What is known
Built
1866 · Patrick Byrne, then Pugin and Ashlin (E.W. Pugin and G.C. Ashlin); 1936 extension by W.H. Byrne and Son
Style
Early French Gothic; granite with Bath stone dressings
Dedication
Sacred Heart

Mass times

Sunday
9:00 AM · 10:30 AM · 12:00 PM · 5:30 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM · 6:00 PM
Monday
7:30 AM (Weekday Mass) · 10:00 AM (Weekday Mass)
Tuesday
7:30 AM (Weekday Mass) · 10:00 AM (Weekday Mass)
Wednesday
7:30 AM (Weekday Mass) · 10:00 AM (Weekday Mass)
Thursday
7:30 AM (Weekday Mass) · 10:00 AM (Weekday Mass)
Friday
7:30 AM (Weekday Mass) · 10:00 AM (Weekday Mass)
Holy Days
11:00 AM (Holy Day Mass)
§Where
Address
Donnybrook, Dublin 4, D04 HW82 · D04 HW82
Open route ↗ Official website ↗ Return to the map

No photographs yet — the essay appears only after the visit.

§Notes

Fragments gathered while researching this church: stories, curiosities, people and dates.

A church blogger's visit

One account shared on a Dublin church blog in July 2024 comes from a writer who often attends the vigil Mass at the Sacred Heart and posted photographs of the interior; a reader's comment singled out the St Joseph altar, in particular a panel depicting the espousal of Mary and Joseph.

Source: Irish Papist blog

The spire that was never built

The tower was designed to carry a spire bringing the total height to 151 feet. Archiseek records that in 1910, after all hope of building it was abandoned, pinnacles were added instead.

Fifty seven years from opening to consecration

The church opened in 1866 but was consecrated only on 19 July 1923; solemn consecration customarily waited until a church was debt free.

Timeline

  • 1787
    Earlier chapel built A chapel was built in 1787 beside the Protestant St Mary's Church, serving the district before the present church.
  • 1860
    Construction begins Work on the present church began in 1860 to Patrick Byrne's design.
  • 1863
    Foundation stone laid Archbishop Paul Cullen laid the foundation stone. Patrick Byrne resigned that year in ill health and Pugin and Ashlin took over.
  • 1866
    Church opened The church opened on 26 August 1866, built by Michael Meade at a cost of about 7,000 pounds.
  • 1887
    Stations of the Cross The Stations of the Cross were a gift from Mrs Jury in 1887.
  • 1910
    Pinnacles instead of a spire Archiseek records that pinnacles were added to the 73 foot tower in 1910 after hope of building the intended 151 foot spire was abandoned; the parish history dates the completion of the tower to 1912 at a cost of 1,200 pounds.
  • 1923
    Consecration The church was consecrated on 19 July 1923.
  • 1924
    Harry Clarke window A three light window in the south aisle: outer lights of St Rita and St Bernard conceived by Harry Clarke and executed by his studio under his close supervision, the central light by William McBride, with art nouveau floral frames.
  • 1936
    Extension with transepts W.H. Byrne and Son designed an extension with two transepts seating 700, a baptistery and a mortuary chapel, built by W. and J. Bolger.

People

  • Patrick Byrne (1783-1864) Initial architect — Designed the church and resigned in 1863 in his eighties due to ill health.
  • Edward Welby Pugin (1834-1875) Architect, Pugin and Ashlin — With George Coppinger Ashlin, completed the church after Patrick Byrne's resignation.
  • George Coppinger Ashlin (1837-1921) Architect, Pugin and Ashlin — Partner in Pugin and Ashlin, the practice that completed the church.
  • Michael Meade Builder — Prominent Dublin contractor who built the church.
  • Harry Clarke Stained glass artist — Conceived the outer lights of the 1924 south aisle window, St Rita and St Bernard, executed by his studio under his close supervision.
  • William McBride Stained glass artist — Designed the central light of the 1924 three light window.
  • Michael Healy Stained glass artist — The parish history records windows of various saints by Michael Healy.
  • Earley and Powell Ecclesiastical craftsmen — Made the rose window and carved tympanum, per Archiseek's 1866 period description.