St Mary, ARVAGH, Roman Catholic

This impressive building was built to designs by R.H. Byrne (1877-1946) who was well respected architect and the building contractor was Charles Doyle & Sons, Mullingar. It is on the site of an earlier T-plan church, built c.1860. It is a fine example of an early twentieth century use of Italian Romanesque style and this was a popular idiom for church architecture at that time. The church occupies a prominent site and is an impressive introduction on the southern approach to Arvagh. It stands on an elevated site and is turned slightly towards the town for dramatic effect. Its presence is further heightened by the decorative emphasis of the Romanesque-style façade and tall towers. The symmetrical façade incorporates many features typical of Romanesque churches such as the rose window, round-arched openings, and Lombard bands. The fine cut-stone work attests to high quality stone masonry and craftsmanship, and serves to enliven the exterior of the composition by providing a visual and textural contrast between the smooth dark limestone walls and lighter textured granite dressing. The interior retains many features of artistic merit, particularly the marble altar fittings.

[National Inventory of Architectural Heritage]