The Birr Civic Offices & Public Library are housed in a revitalised Gothic building that was formerly owned by the Sisters Of Mercy and designed by A.W.N. Pugin. The library holds as part of it's treasures an illuminated copy of the Macregol Gospels, the original of which was written in 800 AD in Birr and now sits in the Bodelian Library in Oxford, England. Incidentally 2012 is the bicentenary of the acclaimed architect who works span England & Ireland.
The former convent has an internal cloister and the south-eastern cloister has been extended into an internal quadrangle to provide an exhibition & tourist information area. The extension consists of a frameless glazed roof, which is supported by a masonry wall within which six old stained glass windows have been restored and relocated. The overall ambience within this building needs to be experienced to be properly appreciated, for there is so much peace and tranquility present that it as if the former occupants were still in residency.
Dr. John Feehan & Bernie in discussion
Maid, Mother & Crone (Cailleach)
Fred salutes a Lady
A profound conversation perhaps ?
Everywhere it is the paintings that sit as
silent witnesses to conversations
To read the opening speech by Dr John Feehan please visit http://theeverlivingones.blogspot.ie/
Just got back from Killmallock and the clan gathering ;-)
ReplyDeleteI'm so pleased the exhibition is going well.
What a lovely place to have an exhibition. As you say, tranquility is in the stones of this building. I have often noticed that with places of religious worship. A fitting and beautiful venue for Jane's gorgeous paintings.
ReplyDeleteI wish I lived close enough to see the exhibtion in person. And yes, often old cloisters retain the peacefulness and prayerfulness of former occupants. The space holds the energy.
ReplyDeletewow... O
ReplyDeleteLove the old buildings, they add the mystery and charm and sometimes much more! wish I could have been there too...everything looks and sounds fantastic!
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