Churches

From the foundation of the Abbey priory in 1253 to the foundation of the Sisters of Mercy Convent in 1853, many beautiful buildings have been added to the built ecclesiastical heritage of the town.

Gallery

Church of the Sacred Heart, Roscommon

The Sacred Heart Church, Abbey Street, Roscommon was just over a decade old when Lawrence took this photograph. It was dedicated in 1903, and had yet to acquire the clock on its third-stage tower (1915) and spire on its fifth-stage tower and cross (1915/16). It was designed in an ornate Gothic style, with the central rose window displaying the best of Venetian art by the firm of Salviati. It was built of local cut stone and is fronted by a sunken grotto. Two of the stone piers, with cast iron gate and railing, can be seen to the foreground of the picture. This card is colour tinted, and was posted in 1907 from Roscommon to Dublin. The message on the reverse noted that the train journey from Roscommon to Dublin would take 4 hours and 35 minutes. A marathon undertaking!

Church of the Sacred Heart, Roscommon -

Church of Sacred Heart, Roscommon

A black and white photo postccard (on dull paper) of the RC Sacred Heart Church Abbey Street, Roscommon, complete with it's clock and it's final tower. The image was taken post 1916 as that is when the additions were made. It is a winter Sunday morning and the faithful are leaving the church after Mass, some delaying outside the gates to exchange stories. All are dressed in their "Sunday best", and the priest in the centre of the gate is fully attired with a soutane and hat.

Church of Sacred Heart, Roscommon -

Abbey Ruins, Roscommon

Roscommon priory was founded for the Dominicans, by Felim O'Conor, King of Connaught, in 1253. It was consecrated in 1257, but was ravaged by fire in 1308. It was rebuilt in 1453 and the surviving fragments, belong in the main to about that date. This colour tinted photo postcard is an outside view, from the north west, of the ivy choked church. This originally consisted of one long aisle, and the lancet windows in the south wall are still preserved. The most remarkable feature of the priory, is the effigy of King Felim O'Conor, in a niche in the north wall, near where the altar once stood. There are eight mail clad warriors, representing gallowglasses, condemned forever to guard and protect the tomb of their chieftain.

Abbey Ruins, Roscommon -

The Old Abbey, Roscommon

This colour tinted view of the Abbey was taken looking towards the north west. Samuel Lewis in his Topographical Dictionary of Ireland, (1837) describes the remains of the Abbey with its "northern transept, in which is an aisle separated by four pointed arches, resting on massive round pillars. Over the principle entrance is a very beautiful window, with an enriched architrave decorated with pinnacles, the windows in the choir are lancet shaped. Fragments of sculptured stones are scattered over the whole area, which is still in use as a burial place". The beautiful Celtic Cross in the left foreground is now sadly mutilated and grounded. This belongs to the Kelly/O'Rorke Mausoleum, the plinth remains also in a bad state of repair. A variety of limestone gravemarkers can be seen, the earliest legible one dating back to 1797. The postcard was posted from Roscommon in 1929, to New York at a cost of one and a half pennies.

The Old Abbey, Roscommon -

Protestant Church, Roscommon

This Church of Ireland church, named after Saint Coman is a detached building set in its own grounds, in Henry Street. The orginal photo was taken by William Lawrence from the southern perspective. Samuel Lewis in his Topographical Dictionary, 1837 described it as follows "a neat edifice with a square tower, in which are a doorway and window of elegant design". It was built in 1775 with a three bay nave, transept to the south, vestry to the north and a three stage castellated tower to the west. The card was posted from Roscommon to Philidelphia in 1908 at a cost of one penny.

Protestant Church, Roscommon -

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