Survey Data
Reg No
14945007
Rating
Regional
Categories of Special Interest
Architectural, Artistic, Social, Technical
Previous Name
Saint Cummion's Catholic Church
Original Use
Church/chapel
In Use As
Church/chapel
Date
1875 - 1880
Coordinates
203227, 186648
Date Recorded
04/09/2004
Date Updated
--/--/--
Description
Detached single-cell Roman Catholic church built in 1877 and reconstructed in 1979 by architect T.P. Sheahan and builder T. Grace. Set back from the road at Barna crossroads. Three-bay nave with chancel and sacristy extensions to north. Pitched tiled roof with terracotta ridge cresting, bellcote to south having cast-iron bell and stone cross finial. Roughcast rendered chimneystack to sacristy. Snecked punch-dressed sandstone to entrance gable with angle buttresses, date plaque bearing date of 1977 and pointed-arched niches with limestone water fonts/stoops. Roughcast render to side elevations with sandstone angle buttresses. Roughcast render to chancel and vestry. Pointed-arched window openings to nave with chamfered sandstone surrounds and cast-iron lattice windows. Pointed-arched window opening to chancel with chamfered sill, block and start surround and stained glass window depicting Christ. Circular window to entrance gable with. Sub-triangular stained glass window to chancel with sandstone surround. Pointed-arched door opening to entrance gable with aluminium and glazed doors. Square-headed door openings with battened and louvered doors to vestry and boiler room. Scissor truss ceiling to interior. Glazed and panelled porch and rooms to rear of nave. Marble altar furniture. Stations of the cross to walls of nave. Gravelled yard to site. Limestone plaque to porch reads ‘To mark the visit of Pope John Paul II to Ireland and the reconstruction of this church. A.D. 1879. Michael A. Harty. Bishop of Killaloe. Patrick O’Meara. Administrator. T.P. Sheahan. Architect. Limerick. T. Grace. Builder. Nenagh’.
Appraisal
The rural church at the settlement of Barna has a most noteworthy entrance gable. The bright courses of snecked stonework enrich the single-cell building. Further features include angled buttresses and lancet windows. Renovated in 1979, the church remains well kept and is a social and religious centre within the community.