CIARAN Taggart's lifelong ambition was to design a church.
In his distinguished career as an architect he had drawn up plans for homes, shops, businesses, community centres and schools.
In 2004 he designed the first support centre and residence in Northern Ireland for people with autism.
Ciaran was also engaged for renovations to the residential block at Clonard Monastery in Belfast, and for the grotto at the diocesan shrine to St Patrick at Saul, Co Down.
Then, 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.
When the Church of the Holy Cross opened in November 2009, he received critical acclaim for the sensitivity and beauty of his design.
It was his last professional commission and perhaps his proudest.
One of Downpatrick’s best known architects, Ciaran was born to Barney and Madge Taggart on the family farm at Ballymote and had two siblings, Hugh and Una, who predeceased him.
He attended the Convent Nursery, De La Salle Primary and St Patrick’s Grammar School, all in Downpatrick, and began an apprenticeship aged 17 with the town surveyor, Thomas McLean.
After four years he transferred to McLean & Forte Architects in Belfast, before moving back home to work with Hugh J O’Boyle Contractors.
Around 1962, Ciaran set up his own mini-supermarket business, The Salt Box, on St Patrick’s Avenue.
From a small office at the back, he also established his architect's practice.
Later Ciaran also leased the Corner Service Station for several years, from where he ran a small second-hand car business, but ultimately it was architecture that became his profession.
He eventually opened an office at Collins' Corner from where he would make his mark across Co Down and beyond over the next 50 years.
Among many local commissions, he drew designs for houses in the Knocknashinna and Springvale developments in Downpatrick and several extensions to St Patrick’s Grammar, where 'The Taggart Design Block' was named in his honour.
In 1980, when his father passed away, he also took on his auctioneering business and continued to trade right up until 2015, when he finally retired at the age of 85.
Ciaran was an avid sportsman all his life. He was a member of the 1950 Russell Gaelic Union team that won the first All County Down League, and he played county football until the mid-fifties.
His also helped promote the Catholic Badminton League throughout Northern Ireland.
He later designed the RGU clubrooms and pitches in Downpatrick and was instrumental in the building and management of the De La Salle Sports Centre.
Ciaran was a highly visible member of the De La Salle Past Pupils Union and served as its all-Ireland president. He was a governor of St Patrick’s Grammar for nearly 20 years, with the school paying him a final tribute by forming a guard of honour at his funeral.
In later years, he was a very active member of the management board for Mainstay DRP, which provides residential and day care for people with disabilities, and was treasurer of the Ballymote Centre.
He also greatly valued his long association with St Patrick’s Choral Society as a vice president, patron and set builder, attending every show and concert even in ill health.
Ciaran had a talented mind but was equally skilled with his hands.
In recent years he devoted himself to designing Christmas nativity cribs which he then beautifully crafted for family and friends.
He was a man of deep faith, affable, honest and generous. The Mass and Rosary were daily highlights. He loved life and even when affected by prolonged ill-health, he never lost interest in events around him.
While he achieved much, he took greatest pride in his family, who faithfully looked after him at home in his final years.
Ciaran Taggart died on June 14 aged 88. His funeral Mass was celebrated by his nephew Fr Feargal McGrady and friends Canon Sean Rogan and Fr Brendan Kearns in St Patrick’s Church, Downpatrick.
He is survived by his wife Mary, daughters Anne, Bronach and Grainne, son Diarmuid, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
