Mr Ciaran Taggart

THE death has taken place of retired Downpatrick architect and tireless community worker Mr Ciaran Taggart. He was 88.

A resident of the Killough Road in the town, he passed away on June 14 after a long illness. 

The son of Barney and Madge Taggart, Ciaran was born on the family farm at Ballymote on September 2, 1930. Predeceased by his brother Hugh and sister Una Holland, he was educated at the Convent Nursery School in Stream Street, the De La Salle Boys’ Primary in Edward Street and St Patrick’s Grammar School, again under the tuition of the De La Salle Brothers.

Leaving school at the age of 17, Ciaran started an apprenticeship with Thomas McLean, town surveyor in Irish Street, where he remained for four years before transferring to McLean and Forte Architects in Belfast’s High Street and the Malone Road. 

He remained with the company for six years before moving back to Downpatrick to work with Hugh J O’Boyle builders. In 1956, he married Mary Connolly, daughter of Jack and Lily Connolly, proprietors of the well-known Connolly’s grocery shop in North Tyrella. 

Ciaran and Mary set up home with Mary’s parents and the couple remained there before moving to Downpatrick in 1975. 

Around 1962, Ciaran set up his own mini supermarket business, The Salt Box, in St Patrick’s Avenue and from a small office in the back, he established his architect business. Some time later Ciaran also leased the Corner Service Station for several years from where he ran a small second hand car business. 

Known as genial and generous to his customers, ultimately it was his architect business that was to become his profession. Ciaran eventually opened an office at Collin’s Corner from where he was to make his mark in the Co Down area and beyond for the next 50 years.

Among many commissions, he drew the designs for houses in the Knocknashinna and Springvale developments in Downpatrick, alongside countless private homes, shops, businesses, community centres and schools, etc.

In 2004, Ciaran designed the first support centre and residence in Northern Ireland for people with Autism. He also designed several extensions to his old school, St Patrick’s Grammar, with one block in one of the extensions named The Taggart Design Block in recognition of his work. This work took place before the school was eventually replaced with a new building.

Ciaran’s lifelong ambition was to design a church. And, just as he was about to retire at the age of 79, he won the competition to design a new Catholic Church at Atticall near Kilkeel.

Unfortunately, Ciaran was affected by ill health during the project and his good friend and colleague, Liam Milling, came to his assistance. 

When the Church of the Holy Cross opened in November 2009, Ciaran received critical acclaim for the sensitivity and beauty of his design. It became his last professional commission and the one which gave him the greatest pleasure. 

In 1980, when his father Barney passed away, Ciaran took on his father’s auctioneering business known as Bernard Taggart & Sons and continued to trade right up until 2015, when he finally retired at the age of 85.

Ciaran was also an avid sportsman all his life. He was a member of the 1950 Russell Gaelic Union team that was the first winner of the then newly established All County League, scoring a point in the final. Indeed, he went on to play for the county until the mid 50s. Although ill health in later life meant he could no longer participate on the field or travel to matches, he maintained a lifelong interest in the game. 

It was fitting therefore that he designed the RGU clubrooms and pitches on the Flying Horse Road. Ciaran’s interests also included badminton and he helped promote the Catholic Badminton League throughout Northern Ireland. 

He was also instrumental in the building and management of the De La Salle Sports Centre in the 1980’s which focussed mainly on squash and snooker. Always active outside of his profession, Ciaran was generous with his time in support of many local charities and the arts. 

For many years, he was a highly visible member of the De La Salle Past Pupils’ Union both locally and throughout Ireland, at one stage becoming All Ireland President. He also helped host the All Ireland Union seminar in Downpatrick in 1986.

Three years later, he visited Rome to represent the local De La Salle Community for the Canonisation of a Belgian De La Salle Brother and met Saint Pope John Paul II twice during his stay.

Ciaran continued to support the De La Salle Community as a member of the Board of Governors for St Patrick’s Grammar school for nearly 20 years. The school paid him a final tribute by forming a guard of honour at his funeral. 

In later years, Ciaran was a very active member of the management board for Mainstay DRP, acting as its vice-chairman. He was also treasurer of the Ballymote Centre management board and attended meetings for both organisations just prior to his passing. 

He also greatly valued his long-term association with St Patrick’s Choral Society as a vice- president, patron and set builder. He attended every show and concert staged by St Patrick’s and the Newcastle Glee Singers. 

Ciaran was a man with a talented mind but he was equally talented with his hands. He was skilled at DIY, car mechanics and carpentry, etc, enjoying the challenge in all these areas. 

In his later years he devoted his time to drawing plans of Christmas nativity cribs which he then built. They were beautifully crafted and given as valued gifts to family and friends.

Ciaran was recognised as an affable, honest and generous man, known to help anyone in difficulty, keen to support local businesses and be a mentor and guide to so many organisations. He lived out his deeply held faith, with the Mass and Rosary essential to his daily life.

Whilst he achieved much, he took greatest pride in his family, who were to faithfully look after him at home throughout his long illness. Ciaran is survived by his wife, Mary, his daughters, Anne, Bronach and Grainne, and his son, Diarmuid.