Drive to save historic windows

ONE of only six Catholic churches allowed to hold Mass in penal times is to undergo a €1 million restoration to save its historic windows.

The ornate stained glass windows of St Michan’s Parish Church in Dublin’s north inner city are in danger of being destroyed unless urgent repair work is carried out.

Small pieces have already fallen out of the 100-year-old windows, created by renowned Irish stained glass artist and illustrator Harry Clarke for the Halston Street church.

Parish secretary Paddy Pender said the windows could be lost forever unless restoration work is done.

“We know that so many people are going through hard times at the moment but we still need to get the job done,” she said.

“If we wait then the windows could be gone and we would regret it.

“This is something that’s been on our wish list for the last seven or eight years.”

The 15 windows are early examples of the work of Clarke, who illustrated books for Hans Christian Andersen and Edgar Allan Poe.

They feature scenes from the Bible such as the crucifixion along with saints such as St Francis, installed by the Franciscan order when they cared for the church.

St Michan’s Parish Church was built in the 18th century.

The restoration can only be carried out by a stained glass craftsman who usually removes the windows and repairs them off-site.

Early estimates for the work reach about the €1 million mark.

Pender said: “Even in poorer times, the people gave what they could to keep their church as a special place.

“We don’t want to go out with a begging bowl but we do need to get on with it.”

Like any ancient building in a city, the church has been damaged by traffic and pollution.

But the introduction of the heavy goods vehicles ban in Dublin city centre and a reduction in smog have improved environmental conditions.

“The vibrations that came off the juggernauts and road works caused bits of the window to fall out, which is the same in any old church,” continued Pender.

Proceeds from a concert by musician, author and humanitarian John Michael Talbot at St Mary of the Angels Church, Church Street on October 18 will go to the fund.

“So far what we’ve raised is in the thousands as opposed to the tens of thousands so we’ve a long way to go, but we hope we will get there.”