Stories from Old Newspapers

 

Cork Examiner 8 October 1886

New Stained-Glass windows, Presentation Convent Dungarvan

‘Resurrection of Old Irish Art’

In the chapel of the Presentation Convent of Dungarvan, Co Waterford, one of the finest set of windows which can be seen in this land has just been completed. There are fourteen windows in all, which have been erected In the new openings of the chapel which has recently been remodeled in the Hiberno-Norman style of architecture, after the plans of Walter W Doolin, Esq., architect of Dublin, who has very cleverly changed an ordinary upper room into a handsome and unique basilica. The windows are in two series – nine in the choir, and five in the sanctuary. Those in the choir (or nave) consist of two lights, circular-headed, surmounted by an “aureola”. They are filled with the most elaborate traceried panels, all designed after the old Irish examples of ornament, derived from Mss and the sculptured and metal work of Erin. In the centre of the windows is shown a scene of Our Lord’s life, beginning at the “Presentation of Our Lady in the Temple”. These scenes are beautifully designed and are executed in rich and harmonious tints…In the sanctuary are four semi-circular headed windows containing the most exquisitely designed figures of the Saviour, the Blessed Virgin, St. Patrick, and St. Brigid, all with emblems and surmounted by Celtic ornament and borders. The lettering even of the texts on these windows is Irish. The work is executed in real antique glass, and the colours are in the glass or metal itself, and not painted on the surface only…In the dome over the altar is a circular light representing the Holy Spirit the Paraclete, surrounded by rays of glory. They have been designed and executed by the widely known artistic firm of Cox, Sons, Buckley and Co., of London and New York. Mr Buckley himself having given the utmost attention to all the details of our national art, being himself an Irish artist and archaeologist. The same firm has lately executed some splendid ones in the Celtic style in the noble new church at Lismore, Co Waterford.