Liss Church & School House, Grogan, Ballycumber, Co. Offaly

A former Church of Ireland church which has full planning permission to refurbish the interior and to change the use to residential. Grant date: 09/ 04/ 2010. The granite former school house is also included in the sale which is directly opposite the church.

Liss Church
Built c.1820, three bay, single cell church, with a west tower, built of coursed rubble limestone with diamond-shaped narrow pointed windows. The west tower has three stages, pinnacles and crennelations and is very nicely placed opposite the gable-ended, granite four bay former primary school. The church is on c.0.067ha(c.0.16acres) and is approximately 139sq.m(1,500sq.ft).

Situated within its own grounds, the church is no longer in use. Pitched slate roof with terracotta ridge tiles and chimneystack over northern gable. Pointed-arched louvred openings to belfry with hoodmouldings. Pointed-arched door opening to tower with tooled stone surround, hoodmoulding, timber blind tracery panelled double doors and stone threshold. Pointed-arched door opening to vestry with timber battened door. Tower of church is flanked by sweeping wrought-iron railings set on a tooled stone plinth with gates.

The full planning permission for Liss Church states that planning has been granted for “a new roof and permission to refurbish the interior, install 2 no. new rooflights, connection to new effluent treatment system with all services thereto and change of use to residential. This development comprises of carrying out works to a protected structure at Liss Church Grogan & Corroe Ballycumber”
The inside of the church has been left vacant for a number of years but retains many of its original features including the stone spiral staircase which leads to the belfry. The main nave is an open plan space from floor to ceiling. The pulpit is still intact with the Telford pipe organ. The original heating system is currently still working. The church and school house is an integral part of the locality’s architectural heritage.

School House
Detached four-bay single-storey, granite, former primary school, built c.1840, with return and extension to rear. The primary school is now disused and is a listed property. Set within its own grounds. Pitched slate roof with terracotta ridge tiles, rendered chimneystacks and some cast-iron rainwater goods. Random coursed limestone walls. Flat-arched yellow brick window openings with tooled stone sills and cast-iron lattice windows. Internal timber battened window shutters. Flat-arched yellow brick door opening with timber battened door. Set back from road with rendered wall to front of site and bounded by random coursed wall to west with stile. The property needs complete refurbishment inside. The School House is on c.0.067ha(c.0.16acres) and is approximately 66sq.m(714sq.ft).

Though modest in design, the architectural form of this former national school is enhanced by the retention of many original features and materials such as the decorative windows and battened door. The simple façade of the building is enlivened by the use of contrasting yellow brick window and door surrounds to the limestone walls, thus creating textural variation.

* Oil fired central heating in the church.
* Septic tank is in the grounds of the school house and was used for the church as well but now there is planning permission for connection to a new effluent treatment system for the church.
* Both properties are connected to the local water system.
* Two Harry Clarke stained windows - There are two Music and Literature two-light windows in Liss Church. The first window was commissioned by Mrs. Mulock in 1928 and was completed by Clarke in 1928 and was completed by Clarke in 1929. The second window was based on the original design by Clarke and completed c.1932 by the studios after Harry Clarke’s death.
* Harry Clarke (1889 to 1931) was undoubtedly Ireland’s greatest stained glass artist. Internationally the name of Harry Clarke is synonymous with quality craftsmanship and imaginative genius in his stained glass work. His use of deep rich colours, his delicate depiction of beautiful elongated figures with their finely carved features and deep expressive eyes, is indeed magical to behold. During his short life Harry created over 160 stained glass windows for religious and commercial commissions throughout Ireland and England, and as far a field as the USA and Australia. His most seen work in Ireland is at Bewley’s Café on Grafton Street in Dublin.

Coming from Dublin take the M4(Sligo/Galway road) and at junction 11 exit onto the M6(Galway/Athlone road). Exit the M6 motorway at junction 6(Clara/Moate road N80). At the roundabout take the 1st exit for the N80 on the Clara road. After 1.8km take a right at the Y in the road and continue into Ballycumber. In Ballycumber go half way through the village and you will see Flynn’s pub on your right and a sign for Athlone, take a right here and continue up this road keeping straight and you will the church on your right and the school house on your left.