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All Ireland Dublin Oratory of the Sacred Heart

Oratory of the Sacred Heart

A nun spent 16 years painting the stunning Celtic mural that covers the interior of this WWI memorial.

Dublin, Ireland

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Noel Donnellon
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The oratory interior.   noeldonnellon / Atlas Obscura User
Wall detail.   noeldonnellon / Atlas Obscura User
The donated Sacred Heart statue.   noeldonnellon / Atlas Obscura User
Wall detail.   noeldonnellon / Atlas Obscura User
Peace Garden   SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
Peace Garden   SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
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Harry Clarke Studio stained glass.   noeldonnellon / Atlas Obscura User
The new building encasing the oratory.   noeldonnellon / Atlas Obscura User
The oratory entrance.   noeldonnellon / Atlas Obscura User
Doorway detail.   noeldonnellon / Atlas Obscura User
Harry Clarke Studio stained glass.   noeldonnellon / Atlas Obscura User
  SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
Entrance from BroomsfieldShopping Centre   SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
Primary School Mural   SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
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About

There’s a mind-blowingly beautiful display of Celtic Revival artwork hidden in plain sight near a playground and a parking lot in Dún Laoghaire, Ireland. Stepping into the Oratory of the Sacred Heart, which doesn't look like much from the outside, reveals a stunning mural that stretches across the entire interior of the small red structure.

The oratory (a small chapel) was built to be a memorial that celebrated the end of World War I and honored the local Irishmen killed in battle. Bright, vibrant symbols and illustrations fill nearly every inch of the space. It’s full of Celtic knots, spirals, animals, and crosses, all so rich with color they almost appear to glow.

The tiny seaside town began using the oratory after receiving a statue of the Sacred Heart from a town in Northern France where many of the local men had fought and died. Sister Concepta Lynch began painting the wall behind the statue after the statue was installed in 1919. People liked her mural so much they encouraged her to expand it. The nun spent 16 years transforming the oratory into the breathtaking masterpiece it is today.

Sister Concepta Lynch mainly included themes from early Irish Christian art, but she was also influenced by a variety of sources such as the Book of Kells, a few Islamic designs, and even the Lynch Style of Celtic Art which was originated by her own father.

In addition to the statue and mural, the chapel contains stained glass windows that were made by Ireland’s famous Harry Clarke Studio. The building itself even won awards for its modern architecture.

Related Tags

Art Celtic Memorials World War I Wwi Catholic Murals Stained Glass Windows

Know Before You Go

Access is extremely limited and visitors are only permitted during local council heritage seasons in the spring and summer. It sometimes opens in October for an open house. It is located not too far from Dún Laoghaire Library.

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noeldonnellon

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SEANETTA

  • SEANETTA

Published

October 17, 2017

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Sources
  • https://arranqhenderson.com/2013/12/24/happy-christmas-to-you-all/
  • http://www.militaria-archive.com/museums/oratory/index.html
  • http://www.balallyparish.ie/sacred-heart-oratory-free-tours-until-4th-september/
  • http://www.ireland.com/en-gb/what-is-available/attractions-built-heritage/churches-abbeys-and-monasteries/destinations/republic-of-ireland/dublin/dun-laoghaire/all/1-48931/
Oratory of the Sacred Heart
Library Rd
Dublin
Ireland
53.292418, -6.142216
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