St Gobbans in Portbradden has been recently demolished. The church went up for sale in late 2015.
St Gobban’s was believed to be the smallest church in Ireland. Built in the 1950s, the tiny non-denominational place of worship was just 11ft 4in x 6ft 9in. The church hosted dozens of marriage services over the years.
Speaking to Causeway Coast Community this evening Sinn Féin Councillor, Cara McShane said “It is disappointing that St Gobban’s has been demolished. While many people may argue the legitimacy of it ever being a ‘Church’ there’s no doubt that it became a huge attraction for visitors to the area and local people alike.
The quirkiness of the building, set against the backdrop of the majestical Whitepark Bay, was a must-see for the thousands of tourists who come to the North Antrim coast every year and who walk the Causeway Coast path, passing by the Church at Portbraddon.
Indeed many people who got married there and who celebrated various significant religious events, will have strong feelings and sentiment towards what has was widely known as the ‘smallest Church in Ireland.'”
Local radio presenter Denis McNeill ( pictured ) said “this is dreadful, such a loss, a shame”.
Alderman Norman Hillis UUP commenting on reports that Ireland’s smallest Church St Gobbans in Port Bradden near the Giant’s Causeway has been demolished said “If this is true then indeed this is the end of an era.
The Church was a hidden gem on the Causeway Coast and was a popular tourist attraction. We are fortunate to have so many superb places to visit in our area but it is really sad to loose this iconic little church. I know there has been strenuous efforts made to save it after a change in ownership in the last couple of years.
However we need to be realistic and acknowledge that it was in private ownership and realise that New Kings/ New owners make new rules. I know that I along with many other locals and visitors to St Gobbans will have very many happy memories of our visits there.”
In the Causeway Coast article, Councillor Cara McShane, Alderman Norman Hillis, and radio commentator, Denis McNeill, are all wringing their hands and mourning the passing of St. Gobbans – meanwhile, The Dark Hedges are still alive but being destroyed on a daily basis and NOTHING is being done by them to prevent their destruction! Again, after The Dark Hedges are dead, will they be wringing their hands and mourning that too? It’s sickening to see these things being allowed to happen with no action being taken to prevent them!!
What efforts were made to save this little gem? I didn’t even know. Wasn’t it of concern to all of us? No petition, no media coverage? Until it is too late!
This was a well known and liked little church. According to the DOE database (HB05/10/009) it seems to have been listed in April 1990 but de-listed in November 1993. Why was this? There was regular public access for decades – could this have been grounds to establish a right of way for the public?
This is dreadful! Who was the new owner? Why was there not a preservation order on this building! Typical N. Ireland, we take no pride in our old buildings!
Unbelievable… My wife and I were married in St Gobbans in Portbraddan by a wonderful minister who owned this iconic church. To say I’ll miss this place is an understatement. What a shame.
I knew Con Auld A lovely person His house at Portbradden was a gem like a Tardas I don’t know why the National Trust NT didn’t purchase it after all they do have property in that area A sad loss to the wee Church