St. Parick's Catholic Basilica

Detached Catholic Basilica on central octagonal-plan with projecting cruciform ‘arms’, designed in 1921 and built between 1924 and 1931, having short projecting transepts to the north and south, shallow chancel to the west, and nave to the east having projecting gable-fronted entrance porch flanked by engaged two-stage round towers having conical ashlar stone roofs over. Aisles (on octagonal plan) between projects having outer open arcades with round-headed arches. Central single-storey sacristy attached to west elevation of chancel having steeped parapet over; sacristy flanked to either side (north and south) by lower single-storey blocks. Octagonal pyramidal copper sheeted roof to main body of building having metal ball finial with metal cross, surrounding roofs hidden by raised cut stone parapets with cut stone coping or cut stone coping with cornices. Segmental parapets to transepts, nave and chancel having cut stone Celtic cross finials to centre; Celtic cross finial over gable apex of main entrance porch to the east. Lead and mild steel rainwater goods with decorative detailing. Constructed of squared, snecked and mildly rock-faced masonry with drafted margins and with ashlar plinth to base. Cut stone detailing throughout including granite columns (on circular-plan) to arcades having ashlar granite voussoirs to arches. Inscribed memorial stones to south wall. Recessed round-headed window openings to double-stage clerestory level of central octagonal section, paired to upper stage, having cut stone surrounds and leaded window openings. Round- and square-headed window openings to transepts, some paired, having cut stone surrounds and leaded stained glass windows. Five graded round-headed window openings to entrance gable having cut stone surrounds and leaded windows; round-headed relieving arch with rock-faced voussoirs over. Three graded round-headed window openings to end elevations of transepts and to chancel having cut stone surrounds and leaded windows. Round window openings to side aisles with leaded windows. Leaded stained glass windows at lower levels. Round window openings to sacristy having cut stone surrounds and leaded windows. Shouldered doorway to main entrance porch, set in five-staged ashlar granite surround, having timber double-doors (cross-braced internally); doorway flanked by cut stone fonts on octagonal-plan; diocesan crest to over doorway. Recessed shouldered doorways behind arcades having ashlar granite surrounds and timber double doors. Located to the north end of Station Island, Lough Derg and constructed principally on reclaimed land and stilts with platform to rear, providing walkway around building, having concrete parapets, and with concrete lamp standards (on octagonal-plan) with lamps over. Interesting interior with galleries having pierced timber balustraded parapets, marble-clad columns (on octagonal-plan) supporting arcade of round-headed arches, marble altar rails having a variety of differently coloured marble balustrades, marble panelling to walls of altar area, bronze candelabra pendants, and elaborate tabernacle. Detached confessional chapel to north, stone paving to open porches.