In a benign and beautiful landscape, St Barrahane’s church mirrors the personality not only of its unusual location but of its two most famous parishioners. The chancel floor is a mosaic designed by Somerville (who died in 1949) in memory of Ross, who died in 1915; the dense and radiant Harry Clarke windows (below) and the cooler tones of the Powell glass all speak of the family web which the two writers tried so hard to resist.
The church is magnificently redolent of the Anglo-Irish presence: enormous plaques commemorate admirals, Etonians, generals of the Bombay Army or aides-de-camp to Queen Victoria. It is only a shadow now, that once distinguished society, but here and there one sees the burned-out hulk of a great mansion, deserted since the War of Independence. The 29th St Barrahane’s Festival of Classical Music, which raises money for the maintenance of the beautiful little church, began last Thursday, and features four more concerts on the next four Thursdays offering a wide variety of music. Performances will be given by Anúna, Elizabeth Cooney Redmond O’Toole, Triocca and Finghin Collins. For more information, call 028-33752 or see homepage.eircom.net/~barrahane.