Built in 1905, the Convent Chapel is part of Enniskillen’s rich architectural heritage, however it is somewhat of a hidden gem.

Designed by William A. Scott, who had earlier designed Enniskillen Townhall, the chapel is described as “a little gem of Irish architecture, perfectly unique among Irish conventual chapels”.

And now Sister Edel Bannon, who lives in the Convent beside Mount Lourdes Grammar School wants people to come and see, and experience the chapel for themselves.

Recently, Frank Rogers, who has written a well-researched book on the chapel gave a talk in the building itself and Sister Edel now hopes that more people will be coming to see the chapel for itself.

“I think it’s a very special place in Enniskillen that’s kind of hidden and that people don’t know about,” explained Sister Edel.

“And actually one of the people who came to the talk the other day said ‘gosh I often walked past this building and thought it was a block of flats’.

“About 75 people came to the talk and Frank Rogers, who has done a lot of research on the chapel, he did it in great detail. And his talk was most interesting and it was absolutely delightful to have it in the chapel. You could talk about down in some other venue in the town but to be actually situated in the building that he was talking about and he was able to point out and show us things was just marvellous.

“I think anyone with an interest in architecture or stain glass or woodcarving would be interested in it.”

Outstanding features of the Convent Chapel’s design are the stained glass windows, and the carved Irish oak stalls fitted along the walls of the nave.

Other noteworthy features in the chapel are the Carara Marble Altars, the Crucifix in the form of a Celtic Cross and several pictures. But it is the spectacular stained glass windows which most capture the attention.

The 23 windows were created by a group of skilled artists from the Dublin stained glass workshop known as “An Tur Gloine” (The Tower of Glass).

The light “leeches” the colour out of the windows, and while the inside of the chapel is quite dark, the windows are beautifully illuminated whenever the natural light hits them, adding to the tranquil setting of the chapel.

12 of the 23 windows were created by women in “An Tur Gloine”, a job that was not common for women to work in back in the early part of the 20th century.

“It’s very nice for us that it was female artists because we spend our life around the education of women and empowering women and encouraging women.

“It said a lot about the architect that he trusted such a project to such a young group. It must have been a huge thing for them.”

Sister Edel, who returned to the Convent four years ago, is now encouraging anybody who might have an interest in the chapel or just wants to experience the building to just “ring their doorbell” and come in.

“It’s very prayerful and very tranquil and if you are worried or disturbed or whatever to sit in there for a few minutes, the whole beauty of it really seeps into your soul.

“I must say I love it therefore I would want to share it with other people.

“It’s not just ours, its there for the community. It’s just a wee gem and anybody who would like to see it is more than welcome because beauty speaks to all ages.”