What if the walls of Our Lady of Victories Church could talk? They would tell a story of a community’s spiritual and temporal heart. This church has been a focal point since 1969. We are standing before Our Lady of Victories Church on Ballymun Road. It is more than just a building. It is a testament to faith.
Our Lady of Victories’ story began in a rapidly growing Dublin suburb. The late 1950s saw an expansion to the north. This led to a series of new churches. Our Lady of Victories was one of the first. Father Bernard Brady cut the first sod in 1965. The foundation stone was laid in 1967. Archbishop John Charles McQuaid dedicated the church in 1969. In 2019, Our Lady of Victories celebrated its 50th anniversary.
Look at the architecture of Our Lady of Victories. It is a striking example of post-Vatican II Catholic church design. The building has a fan-shaped plan. Projecting transepts extend to the north and south. A raised porch protects the west entrance. The roof is a continuous butterfly shape. It is copper-seamed. Timber boards line the projecting eaves. A raised octagonal drum sits atop the church. Stained-glass curtain walling surrounds it. A copper spire rises from the center with a cross finial.
Notice the yellow sand-lime brick. It clads the structural piers. Full-height timber-framed stained-glass curtain-walling adds color. Concrete mullions and aprons add texture. Three square-headed entrances invite you inside. Timber battened double-leaf doors welcome visitors. The building stands on a stepped plinth. Landscaped gardens surround it. A tarmac driveway leads to the west entrance. A car park sits to the east.
Inside Our Lady of Victories, you will find a single open space. Timber boards cover the ceiling. They are supported by downstand beams encased in timber. Timber-boarded square columns rise to the central drum. Full-color-spectrum glass clerestory floods the space with light. Five steps lead to the raised altar. Organ pipes stand against the east wall. Grey sand-lime brick walling flanks the altar. Stained-glass Stations of the Cross are integrated into the curtain walling. Steel-framed timber pews offer seating. Carpeted flooring adds warmth.
The fan-shaped plan is noteworthy. Pews radiate from the centrally located altar. This design reflects the Second Vatican Council. It emphasizes the full participation of the congregation.
Our Lady of Victories has a unique palette of materials. Copper, yellow lime-sand brick and stained timber create a modern feel. The striking stained glass elevates the interior.
Mother Teresa of Calcutta visited Our Lady of Victories on June 4th, 1993. The church occupies a prominent site on Ballymun Road. The surrounding area is characterized by low-rise residential buildings.
Today, Our Lady of Victories continues to serve its parishioners. Mass is held daily. Confessions are heard on Saturdays. The OLV Gospel Choir performs at the Sunday 6pm Mass. The church also offers livestream services. CCTV cameras monitor the building 24/7.
Our Lady of Victories is more than a building. It is a community. It is a place of worship. It is a testament to faith. As we leave Our Lady of Victories, remember its story. Remember the people who built it. Remember the community it serves.