It's a hidden artistic gem which many people are not aware of.... it is open on Wednesday, Sat and Sun in Summertime at 2.00pm, 3.00pm, and 4.00pm. It closes after next Sunday
It is the last remaining element of the old Dominican Convent, which was demolished to build the Bloomfield centre and cinema etc. The oratory was saved from the bulldozer by local appeals.
It was built in 1919 as a tiny chapel in the end of the garden of the convent, mainly initially as a memorial at the end of the Great War.
It was quite plain, but Harry Clarke provided 7 stained glass windows, which were paid for by individual donors
It is internally 20ft x 8ft ..... about the size of a garage to hold a modest family car, but the Board of Works some years ago built a building around it to preserve it.
Here is the front view
There is a DVD presentation and a guide in the lobby.
It tells how the Rev Mother asked a nun who was the art teacher to do a panel behind the altar.
The Nun, Sister Concepta Lynch, over the subsequent 16 years spent all spare time covering the walls and ceiling with art.
The work is done entirely with common household paint, and what looks like gold leaf is actually a cheap household gold paint called Judsons.
Here is a wide view
The oratory is now owned by DLRCOCO which has installed lighting
This is a detail of the altar panel
The entire artwork is mirrored on both sides of the oratory
This celtic cross is therefore repeated on both sides
The ceiling is believed to be unfinished.... that she intended to illuminate it much more
Some fabulous mythical creatures around the windows and over the door
Spectacular and worth a visit
Gulliver
