One of Dublin's most iconic churches is set to disappear from the capital skyline after permission was granted for its demolition.
The Church of the Annunciation in Finglas held its final mass in October to a packed congregation.
The 3,500 capacity church is one of the biggest in Ireland, and is set to be demolished due to falling attendances and structural problems.
And planning permission for the demolition has now been approved following negotiations with Dublin City Council.
Councillor Noeleen Reilly has welcomed the decision and is now calling for public consultation on the future use of the land.
She said: “Finglas West and South have been neglected for many decades in terms of providing even basic medical facilities. The area is without a single doctor so it is crucial that this health care centre is part of any plan for the area.
"In terms of housing I would like to see senior citizens homes developed by the council. There are so many older people living in homes way beyond their needs in Finglas.
"If we can provide smaller supported homes for people then it will free up two, three and four beds for families which are badly needed.”
The new church is set to be a tenth of the old church's size with room for 350 people.
The Church of Annunciation opened in 1967 when John Charles McQuaid was Archbishop.
She continued: “This will be a big development and already we have seen delays moving it forward. Given its scale there needs to be widespread public consultation with residents who live in the area as they will be very much affected by any works taking place.
"It is always sad to see such iconic structures which are so much part of the fabric being removed but this new develop can deliver something very exciting for Finglas West.”
