Sacred Heart
History
Sacred Heart was built in 1877 and was designed by Thomas Kelly, who was the pre-eminent architect in the 1870’s. Mr Kelly’s trademark was the use of spare Gothic forms, with distinctive roof forms and buttressed walls. The building was constructed around a courtyard, so in the main, the ‘penitents’ who were housed here were constantly contained within its form.
The main function of Sacred Heart was to provide a space where the inmates of the Magdalen Asylum could be housed. The Magdalen Asylum was a refuge space for women who had been placed in the Sisters’ care through the Courts or the police. From the Sisters’ perspective, the girls who were here were provided with ‘caretaking, education and reformation of those who… had led an irregular and abandoned life or had been living as common prostitutes or thieves.’ The majority of these women worked in the industrial laundry (which provided key income for the site) or they operated the industrial sewing machines on the top floor of the building which was known as the Grannary Room. Others worked in one of the two separate ironing rooms located on the ground floor.
Over the years, various changes were undertaken within the building. In the mid-1940’s the majority of the many bathrooms were renovated and bright coloured tiles and multi-coloured terrazzo was installed. In the 1950s and 60s further alterations were made to improve the inmates’ quality of life.
Proposed Use
Like many of the convent’s buildings, Sacred Heart does not confirm with contemporary building regulations and demands – thus much work needs to be done before the building can be used again. Once sufficient funds have been secured it is proposed to use the building for several activities. On the downstairs level it is planned to offer a range of retail outlets offering products that meet the site’s arts, cultural and education vision. Businesses working in crafts such as millinery, lace making and book-binding will be considered.
The upstairs section of Sacred Heart is astonishing as it is almost one long continuous space – in the shape of a U. Offering excellent light sources from large windows on both sides of the building, it will make exceptional visual arts studios. It is likely consideration will need to be given to installing a lift mechanism to allow for easy movement of large canvases and pieces that studios of this scale could produce.
Downstairs on the southern wing of Sacred Heart is a large space that was the day chapel for the penitents. Eventually it is planned to present an interpretive centre or small museum here.
