cathedrals historical ireland

The interior was rebuilt by George Richard Pain, in 1828 following a fire. The tower dates from 1862. John Hogan produced the apostles and the saints figures, and the bas relief, "Last Supper" as well as the Bishop Murphy mural monument. Turnerelli produced the bust of Bishop Moylan....

The place-name Downpatrick comprises two elements - dun, an early Irish fortified site (on which the present Cathedral was erected), and the name of Ireland's National Apostle. Some say St. Patrick was buried here, but there is no early tradition to substantiate the claim, and the inscribed stone allegedly marking the Saint's burial place just south of the Cathedral dates from as recently as 1900. Indeed, very little is known of the early history of the site until the 12th century, when a churc...

Dublin is unusual in having two cathedrals within half a mile of each other, both belonging to the Anglican Church of Ireland.
Christ Church Cathedral was founded in 1038 by Sitric Silkenbeard, the Norse King of Dublin, and the present building dates from 1169 when it was rebuilt by 'Strongbow', Earl of Pembroke. It was restored and 'dressed up' in Gothic style in 1871. The cathedral which in 1487 was the scene of the coronation of the pretender Lambert Simnel, contains Strongbow's tomb...

The first evidence of settlement in Limerick is found on Kings Island, and dates back to the Vikings of the 9th century. It was the only river crossing then, and served as a base for raiding local monasteries and Celtic settlements. The English took over the town of Limerick in the late 12th Century, and in 1197 granted a charter declaring Limerick a city. King John, who visited in 1210, ordered that a castle and a bridge (Thomond Bridge) be constructed. Residents of the island city turned...

The foundation stone of this cathedral was laid in July 1851 but not dedicated until May 1873. Built of Newry sandstone its tower stands 77m high with a 2.4m granite cross on top. The stained-glass windows were designed by Meyer of Munich and installed in 1891 and the gardens grounds and gate lodge were completed in 1905.

The city has two wonderful cathedrals which are celebrated annually through the Two Cathedrals Festival, a programme of music and prayer open to everyone.

O...

The first evidence of settlement in Limerick is found on Kings Island, and dates back to the Vikings of the 9th century. It was the only river crossing then, and served as a base for raiding local monasteries and Celtic settlements.

The English took over the town of Limerick in the late 12th Century, and in 1197 granted a charter declaring Limerick a city. King John, who visited in 1210, ordered that a castle and a bridge (Thomond Bridge) be constructed. Residents of the island city...

The Cathedral:

A monastery was founded here by St. Jarlath in the late 5th or early 6th century. In the late 12th century a Romanesque nave-and-chancel church was built. Fire destroyed the nave in 1767, but the barrel-vaulted chancel is incorporated in the present Cathedral. It was added to in 1312, and for almost a century served as a porch. Its outstanding features are the chancel arch of six orders showing Scandinavian influence in its ornamentation, and a very fine east...

Saint Columbs Cathedral was built in 1633. Stained glass depicts heroic scenes form the great siege of 1688/89. The keys of the gates which were closed against the Jacobites are displayed in the chapterhouse.

Features include audio visual presentation on the siege, and history of the cathedral. There's also wheelchair access but it's worth noting that there are shallow steps at the entrance to chapterhouse.

The 17th century Church of Ireland, St. Columb's, was the first p...

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 original monastery was founded here by St. Brendan in 563 and it is here that this great navigating saint is buried. The earliest part of the present church dates to the 12th century. Its doorway is the crowning achievement of Irish Romanesque decoration.

It is in six orders, and has an amazing variety of motifs, animal heads, foliage, human heads etc. Above the doorway is a pointed hood enclosing triangles alternating with bizarre human heads, and below this is an arcade enclosi...