Dictionary of Irish Architects 1720 - 1940

Selected: CO. OFFALY, BIRR, CHURCH OF ST BRENDAN (CI)

Name: JOHNSTON, JOHN [1]
Building: CO. OFFALY, BIRR, CHURCH OF ST BRENDAN (CI)
Date: 1816ca
Nature: New. 'The church, erected in 1815[sic], by aid of a loan from the Board of First Fruits, is a handsome edifice in the pointed style of architecture, with a steeple 100 feet high.'(Lewis). Consecrated 1816. Cost £7,384.
Refs: Samuel Lewis, A Topographical dictionary of Ireland (1837), II, 456; M. Girouard, 'Birr Castle, Co. Offaly - II', Country Life 138, 4 Mar 1965, 469; M. Girouard, 'The Irish town at its best: Birr, Co. Offaly', Country Life 139, 22 Jul 1965, 224(illus.),225(illus.),226; see also Rev. F.R. Bourke, The Church and Parish of St Brendan, Birr (1966), 8,9; Adrian Hewson, ed., Inspiring Stones: a history of the Church of Ireland Dioceses of Limerick, Ardfert, Aghadoe, Killaloe, Kilfenora, Clonfert, Kilmacduagh & Emly (1995), 77(illus.), 78;  exterior illus. in Clergy of Killaloe, Kilfenora, Clonfert and Kilmacduagh (Ulster Historical Foundation, 2010), 41;   exterior and interior illus. in Claude Costegalde & Brian Walker, The Church of Ireland: an illustrated history (2013), 392

Name: DREW, THOMAS (SIR)
Building: CO. OFFALY, BIRR, CHURCH OF ST BRENDAN (CI)
Date: 1877-79;1886;1904
Nature: Adds. & alts. including new chancel, bringing organ down 'from its present exalted position'; removing box pews, reseating nave. Subscriptions sought, Nov 1876.Tenders invited Feb, 1878.  Builder: Beckett, (£1,500). Cost estimated in Mar 1879 to come to at least £2000.Church reopened 20 Nov 1879. Reredos carried out by A.P. Sharpe. Proposed extension of chancel wall arcade, 1904.
Refs: Birr Castle papers include interior perspective of church showing alts. & adds by Thomas Drew, probably 1877, letter, drawings and estimate re extension of chancel wall arcading, 1904 (photographs of these in IAA 69/62 R1-4,YY1-3);  Irish Ecclesiastical Gazette 18, 24 Nov 1876, 364; 19, no. 220, Jul 1877, 220; 21, no. 241, 1 Apr 1879, 493, 1 Dec 1879, supplement p. 13;  IB 19, 1 Jun 1877, 161,165(illus.); 29, 1 Feb 1887, 46; 41, 1 Dec 1899, 373;  Irish Times, 6 Feb 1878;  Freeman's Journal, 5,7,9 Feb 1878;  design for chancel 'now being added' exh RHA 1879, 319; J. Williams, A Companion Guide to Architecture in Ireland 1837-1921 (1994), 324(illus.)

Name: KEMPE, CHARLES EAMER *#
Building: CO. OFFALY, BIRR, CHURCH OF ST BRENDAN (CI)
Date: 1893
Nature: Triple-lancet window (Daniel, St John the Divine and Zachariah) in upper south wall of nave.
Refs: David Lawrence, 'Church of Ireland: The United Diocese of Limerick and Killaloe: Stained-Glass Windows' (RCB report, 2006), I, 20 (see alsoIB 35, 1 Oct 1893, 228)

Name: HEATON, BUTLER & BAYNE *#
Building: CO. OFFALY, BIRR, CHURCH OF ST BRENDAN (CI)
Date: 1893
Nature: Triple-lancet window (Ascension) in upper south wall of nave.
Refs: David Lawrence, 'Church of Ireland: The United Diocese of Limerick and Killaloe: Stained-Glass Windows' (RCB report, 2006), I, 20 (see alsoIB 35, 1 Oct 1893, 228)