Pastoral centre, Dunshaughlin

Dunshaughlin's population grew by 50% during the Celtic Tiger decade. Its modest main street is now engulfed in a sea of new housing estates alongside a new business park and several civic buildings. The local Roman Catholic Church maintains a strong presence, with an active website and lively programme of events. In 2005, the parish decided to build a pastoral centre to house these activities.  The new building, at 500 square metres, houses counselling rooms, meeting rooms, a youth centre, a café and a multi-purpose hall.

McGarry Ní Éanaigh Architects have given the new building an entirely contemporary identity, while also addressing the context in terms of its situation and materiality.  The low-lying form with folded roof planes is set back from main street, located between the parish church and parochial house, to make a comfortable outdoor area where parishioners can gather after mass, away from the traffic and fumes of the vast car park and busy street.  This also creates a natural path to the new building.

The walls are wrapped with dark grey, cement fibre panels, whose joints form a carefully composed pattern and whose colour echoes the slate of the neighbouring buildings. These panels are perforated for ventilation and light in places, enriching the pattern. The roof extends to form an entrance canopy. It is visible from main street, its deep yellow soffit enticing against a grey sky. The glazed wall of the entrance lobby and café is angled so that it also addresses the car park and catches rays of sunlight from the south.

Inside, the continued use of deep yellow on all surfaces - ceilings, walls and floor – imbues the social spaces of the pastoral centre with warm, sunny hues. A large roof light creates a pool of light which adds to the sense of well bring. Lights are recessed into the yellow ceiling surfaces like stars. The interior is uplifting, perfectly attuned to the ethos of the centre.