29.05.2012
New Entrance and Art Gallery Open at St Michan’s
St Michan’s Church, famous for its crypts which house the mummified remains of some of Dublin’s most influential 17th, 18th and 19th century families, has now become a home to the arts with the opening of a new community gallery. The church, which is near Dublin’s busy Smithfield area, has turned a little used side–chapel into a space for the arts and has also reopened a long forgotten entrance which is set to dramatically increase visitor numbers. The gallery and the entrance were officially opened on Friday night along with the first exhibition to take place in the church.
The new entrance, which opens out into Smithfield near the Old Jameson Distillery, was discovered completely by chance. Curate of the Christ Church Cathedral Group of Parishes, Revd David MacDonnell, was helping with some gardening works at the back of St Michan’s churchyard when he found a step. After a bit of digging he discovered another one. Archeologists were then called in and following some further excavation, a frame which had housed a gate was found in the wall and work began to reopen the entrance, sponsored by the Historic Area Rejuvenation Plan (HARP). The entrance has been open since April and Vicar of the group of parishes, Archdeacon David Pierpoint, said footfall to the church had trebled on a daily basis since then.
Inside the church, St Paul’s Chapel had been set aside as a quiet space where people could pray and be away from visitors who had come to shake the hand of the Crusader and view the other mummies. However, Archdeacon Pierpoint said that the room was rarely used and Mr MacDonnell suggested using the space as a gallery. There is no charge to artists to exhibit their work but they will be invited to make a donation to the church.
The gallery and its first exhibition were officially opened, by Revd David MacDonnell. The exhibition is entitled ‘Reflections’ and is a collaboration between painter, Maeve McCarthy and photographer, Mella Travers. It features paintings of St Michan’s and photographic portraits of its people. The church is open from 10.00 am to 5.00 pm, Monday to Friday and from 10.00 am to 1.00 pm on Saturdays.