‘Gothic Ireland’ through the ages

George Cunningham launches the new book Gothic Architecture in Ireland during the 53rd Roscrea Conference accompanied by the editor Prof Roger Stalley of TCD.
History buffs from all over Ireland enjoyed exploring our Gothic past - from the middle ages to the 19th century - at the 53rd Roscrea Conference. The three-day conference was held in the Cistercian Abbey of Mt St Joseph on the weekend of November 1st/3rd.

History buffs from all over Ireland enjoyed exploring our Gothic past - from the middle ages to the 19th century - at the 53rd Roscrea Conference. The three-day conference was held in the Cistercian Abbey of Mt St Joseph on the weekend of November 1st/3rd.

The proceedings were really a tour de horizon of the Gothic architecture of Ireland both the early Gothic and the later, known as neo or new Gothick. Churches and castles, abbeys and friaries all were examined and set in context by a brilliant panel of lecturers: some young scholars like Danielle O’Donovan, Caroline McGee and Niamh Nic Ghabhann; and others – almost household names - Peter Harbison, Roger Stalley and Rachel Moss. There too to keep the local flag flying was Birr scholar Margaret Hogan who led the field trip on the Saturday afternoon to Birr Library, and the churches of the Catholic and Church of Ireland communities, all wonderful examples of late Gothic architecture and decoration. Excellent presentations were given on church building in the 19th century.

Full story in this week’s Tipperary Star.