I was searching for more information about Henry Patrick (Harry) Clarke's St. Brigit imagery in the stained glass windows he designed for various churches. In the process I discovered the above-named article about one particular window, in Ballinrobe, Co. Mayo.
Below are excerpts from Averil Staunton's article on the Historical Ballinrobe website:
Here at St. Mary’s Church, in Ballinrobe, County Mayo one of Harry
Clarkes’s final works prior to his death was the large three-light window
located at the organ gallery, representing three of the patron saints of
Ireland; St Brigid is represented in one of the panels; the others being St.
Patrick and St. Colmcille.
Description of
St. Brigid’s representation
This very
large panel shows St. Brigid as a nun in an elaborately trimmed and tasselled
veil elegantly falling in pleats over her shoulders; she wears a coif
headpiece, which includes a decorated cap and a turquoise wimple or guimpe with
a long tassel to the front.
Her habit
coloured brown is worn over a longer undergarment with an embroidered trim at
its full-length hem. These garments were often loose and pleated from the
neckline and can have two sets of sleeves, the larger of which can be worn
folded up for work or folded down for ceremonial occasions, but in this case,
it appears to be her cloak that is covering her white sleeves with a ruffled
trim.
St. Brigid’s
scapular is a deep turquoise colour with an overlaid intricate Celtic pattern
in black. Her stole is turquoise with a long fringe. Over these garments is a
purple cloak, heavily decorated on the inside hemline.
We get a tiny
glimpse of Clarke’s awareness of Ireland’s heritage with the elaborate silken
pointed-toe, embellished elegant tapering, green pointed slippers, which may be
inspired by the Shrine of St. Brigid at the National Museum of Ireland...
Emblem
St. Brigid’s overhead emblem is five green oak leaves and acorns
represent a ‘Cill’ meaning cell or church. In Irish ‘An Daire’ means is a type
of oak tree, so Kildare means “Church of the Oak” where she founded her church...
Staunton ends with three recommended resources, including her own book on the artist's work:
Further reading:
Fahey, Denis, “An Irishman’s Diary,” Irish Times,
January, 27 January 2015 p 17
O’Hanlon,John, Lives of the Irish Saints,
Duffy & Sons, London, Vol ll &
lll
Staunton, Averil, Harry Clarke’s Liquid Light,
BAHS, Ballinrobe, 2014, p 39
Images: From Saint Mary's Church, Ballinrobe, Co. Mayo. Uncredited.
