St. Francis Church, Cork

Today's Saint Francis Church is bounded by the north-western corner of Cork city Courthouse and the old Broad Lane Church. The foundation stone of Saint Francis was laid on 2 August 1949 and was celebrated by solemn high mass. The church itself was opened on 14 July 1953 by Bishop Cornelius Lucey. Designed by architects Stephen S. Kelly and Alfred E. Jones, this red brick church features Byzantine style. Supporting the building are three hundred piles, some driven down to 10.5 metres or thirty-five feet below ground level. The interior is one of the most remarkable among the city churches – commodious, lavishly lit and decorated with great mosaics. Much of the artwork here is done by Commendatore Tullio Monticelli to the design of Italian artist Umberto Noni. The present day friary occupies the site of old Broad Lane Church. Part of the old city wall was discovered here while preparing for the construction of the friary in 1954.