Wells-Kennedy Partnership - New Organs

St Joseph's RC Church, Carrickmacross, Co. Monaghan - 1998/9


Great before case & pipes

Swell before case & pipes

Before case

Before case

North case

Cases from nave

Cases from nave

North case from nave

Console left hand jamb

Keyboards

Console right hand jamb

Please click on the above thumbnails to view larger versions

Manual Compass: CC - c 61 notes
Pedal Compass: CCC - G 32 notes

Great
1.Bourdon16T.C.
2.Open Diapason8
3.Stopped Diapason8
4.Principal4
5.Wald Flute4
6.Flageolet2
7.Sesquialtera 12.17II rks
8.Mixture 19.22.26III-IV rks
Tremulant
9.Trumpet8A
10.Clarion4A

Swell (enclosed)
11.Salicional8
12.Open Flute8
13.Voix Celeste8T.C.
14.Principal4
15.Stopped Flute4
16.Fifteenth2
17.Mixture 26.29II rks
18.Cornopean8
Tremulant

Pedal
19.Acoustic Bass32B
20.Sub Bass16B
21.Bass Flute8B
22.Principal8C
23.Quint5 1/3B
24.Fifteenth4C
25.Flute4B
26.Fagot16A
27.Trumpet8A

Couplers
Swell to Great
Swell to Pedal
Great to Pedal
Swell Sub Octave to Great
Swell Suboctave
Swell Octave

Accessories
5 adjustable thumb pistons to Great
5 adjustable thumb pistons to Swell
5 adjustable toe pistons to Pedal
1 reversible thumb piston to Swell to Great
1 reversible thumb piston to Swell to Pedal
1 reversible thumb piston to Great to Pedal
1 thumb piston to General Cancel
1 reversible toe piston to Swell to Great
1 reversible toe piston to Swell to Pedal
1 reversible toe piston to Great to Pedal
Balanced Swell Pedal

Electric key action

* Stops nos. 1 (part), 3, 5, 11, 12, 13, 15, 18, & ranks A, B & C (14-44) incorporating older material

The design of the new organ was developed by the builders, Wells-Kennedy Partnership Ltd of Lisburn Co Antrim, from the original concept proposed in 1995 by the organ consultant to the Parish, Mr Peter Sweeney of Dublin.

The new organ replaces a one manual instrument of seven stops built by Cousans Sons & Co of Lincoln. This organ was built against the East wall of the North Transept Gallery, with the player facing East. This organ is now doing service in Knocktopher Abbey, Co Kilkenny.

After considerable discussion it was decided to build a gallery at the West End and the new organ was to be split on each side, Swell and Pedal South Side and Great and Pedal on the North Side. The view of the beautiful West window was not to be impeded in any way by the organ.

The first proposal for the organ case was fairly plain with simple mouldings and pipe shades, but on further consideration a more Classical case was decided upon. As the sketch shows, a more ornate case evolved employing decorative pipe shades and heavy cornices. A stopped façade creates movement with the 8' basses giving an air of grandeur and dominance. As can be seen, every effort has been made to respect the outline of the window, whilst at the same time achieving sufficient space to allow the construction of an instrument of adequate scale, both visually and tonally, for this lofty building.

The twin cases are constructed in African Walnut and were designed by Mr Christopher Gordon-Wells in consultation with the Dublin Architects, Richard Hurley & Associates, who designed the gallery and were responsible for the major refurbishment of the church interior.