This building takes its inspiration from the Bronze Age cylindrical fort Grianán of Aileach which dominates the local landscape. The church continues the tradition of religious structures in the immediate area and has an ingenious plan comprising two off-set circles. The enfolding walls are stone, topped with a continuous clerestory stained glass window containing designs by local artists.
The roof is clad in copper with a tapering ‘spire’ which is glazed to flood light into the interior. We visited the church on a recent tour around Ireland, after it had been awarded the RIAI Triennial Gold Medal and was named ‘Building of the Century’ by a national poll.
