Glasnevin Centenary Chapel
English
Gaeilge
The design strategy is one that seeks to deal effectively with the challenges of the site, respect the existing
Easter Rising Monument and resolve the functional dilemma, of how to accommodate multiple
funerals consecutively, without one funeral affecting another. The external presence of the Chapel seeks to
create a “striking memorial” for the centenary celebrations, while internally the spaces are designed to offer a
sanctuary of peace and spirituality for the mourner to grieve, remember and celebrate the recently deceased.
The concept for the project is governed by the ideas of “movement” and “reflection”. Mourners gather at the
Centenary Square before moving parallel to the monument, through the main door and into the lobby. The
lobby acts as a sheltered gathering point prior to entering the chapel for the ceremony. A quiet chapel space is
illuminated with a continuous clerestory light. The lectern sits as the central element in the room. On exiting
the chapel, the hortus concluss provide the important function of a temporary gathering space, a moment of
pause for mourners to group and console after the ceremony. Finally, a ‘Golden Crown’ made up of sixteen
triangles sits upon the roof of the 1916 Centenary Chapel. Its simple geometric form acts as a beacon within
the graveyard.
Sé an straitéis dearadh anseo ná an gnó a chur i gcríoch go héifeachtach le dúshláin an súiomha, meas a thabhairt do Leacht Cuimhneacháin Éirí Amach na Cásca agus an aincheist feidhmiúil a réitiú, conas a lán sochraidí a ríaradh ag an am céanna, gan íad ag cur isteach ar a chéile. Cúardaíonn láithreacht seachrach an tSéipéil “leacht cuimhneacháin sonrach” a chruthú do na cómoraigh céad bliana, agus ag an am céanna tá seomraí taobh istigh déartha le sanctóir síochána is spioradála a ligeann don chaointeoir buaireadhaus cuimhne a dhéanamh agus an duine básaithe a chéiliuradh. Tá coinncheap an tionscaidéala spreatha ó smaointe “gluaiseachta” agus “athmhacnamh”. Bailíonn na caointeoirí ag an Chearnóg Chéad Bhliana sula bhogann siad ar aghaidh comhthreomhar leis an leach cuimhneacháin, tríd an phríomh dorais agus isteach sa halla. Lastar spás ciúin sa séipéil le solas leanúnach ghléstóir. Tá an léachtán lonnaithe mar dúilí lárnach an tseomra. Ag fágáíl an seipéil, feidhmíonn an horttus concluss mar lonnaíocht sealadach bailliúcháin tabhachtach, noiméad sosa do na caointeoirí, ag ligint dóibh teacht le chéile agus sólas a fháil i ndiadhan searmóna. Faoi dheireadh, tá “Coróin Órga” déanta suas de sé tríantán déag suite ag barr an tSéipeil. Bíonn a fhoirm simplí geoiméadraí ina ghnóthaí mar tine rabhaidh sa reilig.
Design Collaborator
Hannes Schroll
Civil + Structural Engineers
Horgan Lynch Engineers
Quantity Surveyor
Richard Leonard and Associates
Client
Glasnevin Trust
Project Area
553m²
Site Area
0.364 Hectares
Design
2013
