Historic Buildings Record · Northern Ireland
Marian Chapel
Ballinacraig, Newry, Mourne and Down, Northern Ireland
The record
- Designation
- Record only (not listed)
- Grade
- Record Only
- Type
- Church
- Date of construction
- 1840 - 1859
- Address
- Marian Chapel, St. Clare’s Convent, High Street, Newry, Co Down, BT34 1HB
- Townland
- Ballinacraig
- Council
- Newry, Mourne and Down
- Country
- Northern Ireland
- Coordinates
- 54.17424, -6.33186
- Date of survey
- 18 April 2000
- HB reference
- HB16/28/054 C
Slide toward Today to fade the historical sheet and see the modern map underneath.
David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries
Shown on 4 historical map sheets, the earliest the 1838 "Ireland, north sheet." (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries).
The Department's description
Exterior description and setting
Part of an extensive complex which also comprises a convent and chapel (HB16/28/054A), burial vault (HB16/28/054B), school (HB16/28/054D), laundry (HB16/28/054E) and wells (HB16/28/054F).
This small chapel is located on a steep west-facing slope at the east end of the grounds and is accessed from the convent by a narrow path and steps through the garden and graveyard.
Pitched natural slate roof, aligned north-south with skylight at north-west to illuminate canopy over altar. Unpainted, lined cement rendered walls. A small pitched natural slate gable rises from the middle of each sidewall. There are metal cross finials to all gables. Modern eaves boards, but gutters now missing. All openings have painted and broadly chamfered architraves executed in Roman cement All windows have splayed cills also in Roman cement.
Four steps lead up to a painted timber double-leaf entrance door in middle of south gable. This opening has a Gothic head, directly above which is a small circular opening with quatrefoil window. Above again is a stucco cross, and in the gable apex is a narrow lancet opening. Flanking each side of the door is a lancet window with cast-iron stained-glass quarries.
The gable on the west elevation has three conjoined lancet openings (the middle one being tallest) and share a common cill. Their stained glass quarries are protected by transparent plastic sheeting. In the gable apex is a circular opening containing a quatrefoil window.
The north gable abuts the inside face of the curtain wall around the grounds.
The east gable is identical to that at west.
Historical information
This chapel first appears on the 1863 OS town map and is therefore of mid 19th century date. Its present appearance suggests an extensive external refurbishment during the present century.
Primary sources:
1. Large-scale OS town map (1863)
2. Second edition OS map Co Down 1863. Down sht 16.
Criteria for listing: architectural interest
Not listed
Criteria for listing: historic interest
Not listed
Evaluation
A small chapel building in a prominent location overlooking the convent with which it is associated.
Nearby in the register
- Vault at St. Clare’s ConventMausoleumunder 1 mi
- Old Meeting House GraveyardGraveyardunder 1 mi
- Laundry atFactoryunder 1 mi
- First Presbyterian Meeting House and Burial GroundChurchunder 1 mi
Other entries of the same register within about three miles of this one, by straight line.