Built in 1844 in Tudor-Gothic style, St. Malachy's was once described by former poet-laureate Sir John Betjeman as 'a many coloured cavern'. Its eye-catching exterior of red bricks topped with pink-painted octagonal turrets gives way to a whimsical plasterwork interior resembling a draped lace handkerchief. In 1868 the church's bell, the city's largest, was muffled with felt to stop the sound disturbing whiskey maturation at the adjacent Dunville distillery. Perhaps they should have called the whiskey Bell's.

St. Malachy's Roman Catholic Church comments Add Yours

• Deirdre Barr Kushner - Irvine 08 January 2010
  Since the mid 1880's my family has gone to St. Malachy's and it is wonderful to see how beautiful the restoration has turned out. Now we get to pass it onto future generations to love and cherish just as we have.
• Heidi 04 January 2010
  Thanks for the info, Martin. The change has been duly made. -Ed.
• Martin Graham - Belfast 30 December 2009
  The bell turret wasn't the city's largest, the actual bell itself was. Also it wasn't removed in 1868, it was only covered with cloths to soften the peal and still rings several times each day!