Grotto - Windgap Village
Calvary Grotto - This amazing grotto is the largest grotto in Europe covering 4 acres with detail of Italian mosaic featuring 3 languages and Ogham stones.
The grotto was created in the 1920's and is situated on a hill overlooking St.Nicholas' cemetery. It contains many walkways decorated with quartz and mosaics inlaid in front of statues.
History of Windgap Grotto.
Windgap Grotto dates back to 13th April, 1915 when James Edward William Theobald Marquis of Ormonde agreed to “make over as a free gift” to Diocesan Trustees ‘that plot of land containing about two acres three roods and twelve perches’. The Butlers, Marquis of Ormonde lived at that time in Garryricken House, about 3 miles North/West of Windgap.
The grotto as we know it today was the brainchild of the then Parish Priest, Revd. James Brennan. The area consisted of the natural hillside and a coniferous plantation in the central area.
It is a unique feature incorporating quartz lined pathways which pass several features including five sculptures, seven mosaics and a small folly. Great care and attention went into planning and design and the construction is of high quality. The sculptures on plinths are accompanied by a mosaic laid into the ground. The sculptures are either Portland limestone of Italian marble. Between these focal points, gravel paths bordered by large, rough pieces of quartz cemented into a kerb circumnavigate the space. In places ferns have been pressed into the wet cement to leave a fossil-like impression.
The main sculptures as one ascends is of Christ on the Cross, which is of Portland Limestone, and going in an easterly direction a sculpture of The Immaculate Conception which is of Sicilian marble. next a statue of Mary of Italian marble on a limestone plint. At the western side is a sculpture of Christ the King again of Italian marble. And as one returns to lower level a sculpture of St Patrick in Italian marble.
A feature of the Mosaics is that there are designed in three languages, namely, English, Latin and Irish.
Red sandstone is natural in the area and the paths are finished using this colour. The quartz (white stone) was obtained from a quarry about 2 miles away in Seskin and was transported by horse and cart. Local stone masons, Burkes from Graigue assisted by a Nicholas Coady from Killamery (later a Priest in Mount Mellerary) did most of the work. Stone and materials were brought by parishioners at the request of the Priest.
Fr. Brennan visited Australia twice during his ministry. The Bell in the graveyard was erected in 1915 and was donated by his brother, Daniel Brennan living in Australia. Finance for construction of the seven mosaics which are inlaid at various points along the walk came from Australia. The mosaics fell into disrepair over the years but between 2002 and 2005 all have been restored thanks to grants totaling €20,000 from The Heritage Council of Ireland.
Since 1999 Kilkenny County Council under the direction of Ms. Clare Murphy have provided grants totaling approximately €25,000 towards the restoration work on this unique work of art.
The grotto was created in the 1920's and is situated on a hill overlooking St.Nicholas' cemetery. It contains many walkways decorated with quartz and mosaics inlaid in front of statues.
History of Windgap Grotto.
Windgap Grotto dates back to 13th April, 1915 when James Edward William Theobald Marquis of Ormonde agreed to “make over as a free gift” to Diocesan Trustees ‘that plot of land containing about two acres three roods and twelve perches’. The Butlers, Marquis of Ormonde lived at that time in Garryricken House, about 3 miles North/West of Windgap.
The grotto as we know it today was the brainchild of the then Parish Priest, Revd. James Brennan. The area consisted of the natural hillside and a coniferous plantation in the central area.
It is a unique feature incorporating quartz lined pathways which pass several features including five sculptures, seven mosaics and a small folly. Great care and attention went into planning and design and the construction is of high quality. The sculptures on plinths are accompanied by a mosaic laid into the ground. The sculptures are either Portland limestone of Italian marble. Between these focal points, gravel paths bordered by large, rough pieces of quartz cemented into a kerb circumnavigate the space. In places ferns have been pressed into the wet cement to leave a fossil-like impression.
The main sculptures as one ascends is of Christ on the Cross, which is of Portland Limestone, and going in an easterly direction a sculpture of The Immaculate Conception which is of Sicilian marble. next a statue of Mary of Italian marble on a limestone plint. At the western side is a sculpture of Christ the King again of Italian marble. And as one returns to lower level a sculpture of St Patrick in Italian marble.
A feature of the Mosaics is that there are designed in three languages, namely, English, Latin and Irish.
Red sandstone is natural in the area and the paths are finished using this colour. The quartz (white stone) was obtained from a quarry about 2 miles away in Seskin and was transported by horse and cart. Local stone masons, Burkes from Graigue assisted by a Nicholas Coady from Killamery (later a Priest in Mount Mellerary) did most of the work. Stone and materials were brought by parishioners at the request of the Priest.
Fr. Brennan visited Australia twice during his ministry. The Bell in the graveyard was erected in 1915 and was donated by his brother, Daniel Brennan living in Australia. Finance for construction of the seven mosaics which are inlaid at various points along the walk came from Australia. The mosaics fell into disrepair over the years but between 2002 and 2005 all have been restored thanks to grants totaling €20,000 from The Heritage Council of Ireland.
Since 1999 Kilkenny County Council under the direction of Ms. Clare Murphy have provided grants totaling approximately €25,000 towards the restoration work on this unique work of art.
