Arthur Edward Guinness, Lord Ardilaun  decided to build a church on the lands of his St Anne’s Estate in Raheny. He first proposed the idea in 1880 and the church was to replace the older St Assam’s church that had fallen into disrepair. The ruins of the old church can still be seen today. Lord Ardilaun engaged the services of George Ashlin to design the new church. It was  built in a typical cruciform shape and is said to be in the early English Style. The design includes many wonderful features.  The walls are a magnificent Wicklow granite. The belfry is covered in Cumberland slate and the skyline is dominated by a spire that was modelled on the spire of Salisbury Cathedral in England. The interior is also spectacular with the builders Messrs Collen Brothers of Dublin and Portadown using many locally sourced materials. But more on that when I get inside again and have a few hours to spare for the long exposures needed to capture the interior.
Construction started in 1885 and had a dedication ceremony in December 1889. Upon his death in 1915 Lord Ardilaun, the great grandson of the famous Arthur Guinness was interned in the crypt in the church.
The church is still in use on a daily basis and it is hard to pass it without stopping have a closer look.

Zero Image 4×5 Pinhole Camera (Horseman 120 rollback fitted)
Film: Kodak Portra 160
Dev: Tetenal C-41 Kit
Focal Length:25mm
Aperture:f138
Exposure:13 seconds
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