Stained glass windows unveiled at Limerick Prison’s multi-faith room

STAINED-glass windows, originally from a church that featured during the Peace Process in Northern Ireland, have been installed at Limerick Prison as part of a redevelopment to the Prison Chapel.

Original glass panes from St. Clement’s in Belfast were donated to Limerick Prison by the Redemptorist Order, and fitted by prisoners through the education and work training departments. 

With the Chapel in Limerick Prison now more than 200 years old, the Prison has redeveloped the space as a multi-faith room, according to Governor Mark Kennedy. 

“We wanted to keep it as a safe space for people, there’s no judgments being made on anyone when they come in here.” 

“These windows represent peace- they were a part of the Peace Process in the North and we got the prisoners involved as a project so we redid the whole Chapel within the prison.” 

“They were in storage for years,” he added. “The Chapel is a cornerstone of the prison.”

“Its open at all times and people can come in and say a quiet prayer or a reflection. They don’t have to be of any faith to access the room, all faiths are welcome here.” 

“This chapel has kept going for over 200 years,” Gov Kennedy added. 

“The first opening of this chapel was 1821. Over the years, it's been the main chapel in the prison. About two years ago, we decided to make it a multi-faith room.” 

Limerick Prison has also collaborated with the Hunt Museum and the Bedford Family Row Project on a new art exhibition, he added. 

“The Irish Prison Service and 100% behind that because in order for us to reduce the recidivism (reoffending) rate, we need people in society and structure and if their family structure is in place, they won’t come back to me.”

Human Rights Commissioners Teresa Blake and Emily Logan attended the unveiling of the stained glass windows while also meeting with women in Limerick Prison. 

“Projects like this really are of critical importance,” Ms Logan said. “We’ve heard from the women about the complex social situations they were in before they came into prison but what was really clear was the centrality of family to those women. Our job as an independent body is to work with the prison service to ensure there is respect for human rights.”