cathedrals historical ireland

In 1840 Archbishop Crolly laid the foundation stone for St Patricks Cathedral. Archbishop Crolly died during the famine and work on the building was stopped. Construction began again in 1854 under a new dynamic Bishop, Dr Dixon who appointed another architect, JJ McCarthy to succeed Mr. Duff.

He changed Duff's plan to a purer Gothic Style giving us the lofty twin spires of today's building. Work on the building had again virtually stopped until Dr McGettigan was appointed to...

The town was founded by the Norse early in the 10th century, but by the end of the century of Irish under Brian Boru captured it. The O'Briens had already made it their own capital by 1100. In 1175 Raymond Le Gros took the town for a time, though he had to relinquish it shortly afterwards. But by 1200 the Normans were back again, and with few interruptions held it until the Confederate Catholics captured it in 1642. The Cromwellians took it in 1651.

In October 1691 the Williamites de...

Ardmore is the oldest Christian settlement in Ireland. St. Declan lived in the period 350-450 AD and christianised this area before the coming of St. Patrick. St. Declan's feast day is "Pattern Day" every 24th of July....

Kildare Cathedral and Round Tower Kildare Cathedral stands on the site of a church which was burned in the 9th century. Succeeding churches were burned and the Cathedral was built by Ralph of Bristol around 1223. In the rebellion of 1641, Ralph's Cathedral was burned but towards the end of the century, part of it was rebuilt. The remainder was rebuilt in 1875. One of it's distinguishing features is the three light window, which depicts scenes from the three Saints of Ireland - Patrick, Brigi...

The Cathedral was begun by Ralph of Bristol around 1223, but only the south transept and a part of the tower as well as small portions of the rest of the church date from this period. It was partially restored in the 15th century, and heavily restored int he 19th century when the choir was almost totally rebuilt. In the south transepts are preserved some good medieval tombs (particularly that of Sir Maurice Fitzgerald of Lackagh who died in 1575) and some of the medieval floor-tiles, and in th...

The anglican cathedral of St Patrick has a medieval core, and was restored in 1765 by Archbishop Robinson. However, its present sandstone exterior is later. The cathedral was brand new when Thackeray visited it in 1842 and admired the eighteenth century monuments inside. These include a stature of Sir Thomas Molyneux by Roubiliac, one of Dean Drelncourt by the Flemish sculptor Rysbrack, and a bust of Archbishop Robinson by Nollekens.

Notice a fine kneeling figure of Primate Willia...

Our Lady's Shrine Knock, is one of the great Marian shrines of the world, attracting over 1,500,000 visitors annually. It's an oasis of peace, tranquillity and deep spirituality where many who come to see, remain to pray and find reconciliation. On 30th September 1979, His Holiness Pope John Paul II came as a pilgrim to Knock Shrine, the goal of his journey to Ireland.
Knock is the scene of the apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary, St. Joseph and St. John on 21st August 1879, witness...

Ballyporeen in whose cruciform church one Michael Reagan, great grand-father of former Carthage, which became one of the renowned universities of Europe. The Round Tower which is one of the finest in Europe is 97 feet high and 15 feet in diameter at the base, with its doorway set high above the ground for protection against Viking attacks. Also interesting is St. Declan's oratory which is a very small early church. The "Cathedral includes work of various periods and styles from about the te...

Designed by Byrne and Scott, it is the glory of Loughrea. Its artistic interior owes much to the direction of Edward Martyn. Its beautiful stained-glass windows inaugurated the era of Dublin stained-glass art.

The - Last Judgement - and - Ascension - by Healy are almost cataclysmic, while the works of Evie Hone, Sarah Purser, Childe and McGoldrick are truly beautiful. The statuary of Hughes and the fine sculptures of Shortall are among their finest works....

Dedicated to Saint Peter and Saint Paul, the Cathedral is the largest surviving ruin and it occupies the most prominent position in Glendalough. Originally dating to the time of Kevin himself, it underwent many alterations over the centuries and now closely resembles a tenth century style structure to which a chancel was added two centuries later. The width of the nave is exceptional, and at 9 metres is probably the widest of any of the early Churches in Ireland. The Church ceased to serve as...