St. Michael’s Church in Creeslough was designed by Liam McCormick (1916-96) and completed in 1971. McCormick is often considered the father of modern Irish church architecture, and St. Michael’s Church is one of his most celebrated works. It has been described as one of the finest examples of modern church architecture in Ireland, blending modernist design with sensitivity to the local landscape and culture.
The church replicates the shape of nearby Muckish mountain one of Donegal’s iconic mountains. The design reflects McCormick’s philosophy of creating buildings that complement their natural surroundings, and it makes St. Michael’s Church one of the most recognisable landmarks in the area.
The church at Creeslough is the fifth in a series of seven churches McCormick designed in Donegal. It was the first built following his celebrated Church of St. Aengus at Burt. Other of his notable works include the Meteorological Service Headquarters in Glasnevin, Dublin, and the famous St Aengus’s Church at Burt which was inspired by the Grianan of Aileach hill fort and was voted ‘Building of the Century’.
Check out a short film celebrating St Michael’s Church by local journalist and film maker Eamonn Mc Fadden called the ‘Church and the Mountain: Mc Cormick’s Vision for St Michael’s Church.’
You can also read an earlier article on the Creeslough View about the local men who worked on the church here.
