Sir, - Looking at the programme, "Nation Building" on church architecture in Ireland, on RTE, I could scarcely believe my ears when I heard Sean Rothery say that no one raised a voice in protest at the building of the church on Bird Avenue designed by Jones and Kelly, rather than that of the first-prize-winning design of Tom Ryan.
My husband, Aodhagan Brioscu, BArch, was then editor of the magazine The Irish Architect and Contractor. In the September, 1954, issue he strongly criticised the decision of the church authorities not to build the winning design. The following month, he devoted the entire issue to the debacle of the "Clonskeagh Church Competition". He published all the plans of the premiated and commended designs, together with the assessors' comments. Aodhagan and I worked into the small hours; he wrote the editorial and edited submissions; I was the typist. We had a procession of disappointed architects coming to our house with the plans of their prize-winning entries.
While many people were not prepared to express their opinions publicly, Aodhagan had the courage of his convictions. A message was relayed to us through a priest friend that Aodhagan should cease his "smart writing".
I was present at a very well attended public meeting in the Physics Theatre, UCD, Earlsfort Terrace, where a very angry young John Costello was one of the speakers. I have often quoted his declaration that "he was not anti-clerical, but he was anti-Irish-clerical." He and other speakers were outraged.
Aodhagan was one of the people who helped to mount liturgical art exhibitions in Glenstal Abbey. He also gave many talks on church architecture throughout the country, including at St Patrick's College, Maynooth. Subsequently, as editor of a number of other publications, he publicised examples of good design.
Although the prize-winning church was not built on Bird Avenue, the competition was a turning point in church design.
I write this letter more in sadness than in anger, that so many times commentators are reluctant to give credit where it is due. Architects, it would appear, are no exception. - Yours, etc.,
Anna Brioscu, Knocklyon, Dublin 16.