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'North by North West' moves to
Derry
27.10.09
'NORTH by North West',
the exhibition celebrating the life and work of the
late Greencastle-based architect Liam McCormick, has
gone on public display in Derry.
It was officially opened at the Tower Museum last
Thursday by Derry Mayor, Councillor Paul Fleming,
who welcomed efforts to secure the exhibition for
the city where the architect was born.
'North by North West' moves to Derry following
successful runs at the Irish Architectural Archive
in Dublin; Letterkenny Regional Cultural Centre and
the Inishowen Maritime Museum in Greencastle. The
acclaimed architect died in 1996 and his wife, Joy,
was instrumental in putting together the exhibition
with the loan of numerous personal items including
photos and paintings. She said she was delighted the
people of Derry could now see 'North by North West'. |
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"I was so pleased that
Garvan O'Doherty, the prominent Derry businessman
paid tribute to Liam at the launch and I must also
thank Shane O'Toole who wrote the book 'North by
North West', for travelling all the way from Dublin
to speak at the opening," said Joy.
Born in Derry on October 24, 1916, Liam developed an
enduring attachment to the North West region,
enthralled by its landscape and people.
While working for the Derry City Surveyors'
Department in the 1940's, he designed air raid
shelters and housing projects |
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such as Creggan Housing
Scheme, planned with Frank Corr, and St Columb's
Recreation Park. Liam opened his Derry office in
1948, with assistant Joe Tracey, and soon secured a
commission for a large school at Pennyburn. This
would be the first of many schools and church
commissions for the Catholic church.He is perhaps
best known for St Aengus Church, Burt, which is
widely acknowledged as the first masterpiece of the
post-Vatican II era in Ireland. Other Derry and
Donegal commissions include St Conal's Church,
Glenties and Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Steelstown.
Liam retired in 1982 but continued to practice on
his own. Among his post-retirement works was a house
for John Hume near Moville. The exhibition will run
until the end of the year. For more information call
the Tower Museum on 04871 372411. |
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