cathedrals historical ireland

Armagh Cathedral
Armagh is believed to be one of the oldest towns of Ireland, and that the hill which is central to Armagh contained a prehistoric settlement. But it is more famous for it's association with Saint Patrick, who is said to have established his bishopric there in 444-45, and his church is where the cathedral now stands, There is little left of the original 13th century cathedral as it was "worked over" by the English architect, L.N. Cottingham from 1834-37. Some beautifu...

St Patrick's Cathedral is Ireland's largest cathedral and attracts in the region of 300,000 visitors each year. It dates back to 1191 and is the largest of the three Church of Ireland cathedrals in Dublin. Externally the cathedral is 91 metres long while the nave is 17 metres high.
Before the cathedral was built a holy was on this site. And according to legend St Patrick was baptised here. As a result a small wooden church was built here to commemorate St. Patrick in the 5th century. I...

The 49-bell Carillon, unique in this country, is played from a console within the belfry. A closed-circuit system shows the carillonneur playing the instrument. To mark this 81st year, an enhanced programme is planned, including guest recitals by leading carillonneurs, grant aided by the Arts Council, the Cork County and Cobh Town Councils.Recitals take place on Sundays from the 4th of May 2008, to 28th of September 2008.

The Carillion is played from a keyboard and pedalboard cons...

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...

Much of the Cathedral dates from 1633 when Richard Boyle, the Earl of Cork built it. However, the chancel arch and south transept windows go back as far as the 13th century. The church contains a fine tomb of the Mac Grath family dated 1557, and showing the Crucifixion, Ecce Homo, St. Gregory the Great, St. Carthage, St. Katherine of Alexandria, St. Patrick and some Apostles. It is one of the few cases where the figures are named on Irish medieval tombs. Not far from the tomb, and also at th...

Built between 1828 and 1842, following the repeal of the penal laws, the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul is certainly worth a visit. Situated at the end of O’Connell Street. ....

Dating back to over 1400 years ago, the site on which the  catherdral stands has been a place of worship since 490 AD when St. Fachtna founded a monastic school here. This was visited by scolars and pligrams from near and afar. 

The catherdral itself dates back to 1612 and it was extensively restored after the Rebillion of 1641. ...

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....

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...

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...