cathedrals historical ireland

The monastery was founded early in the 7th century by St. Colman son of Duagh, a member of one of the local royal families. It has one of the finest collections of churches in Ireland. The most conspicuous feature is the excellently preserved Round Tower which shares a lean with its more famous counterpart at Pisa.
br> Beside it is the Cathedral, of which the west gable, with its blocked-up flat-headed doorway (11th - 12th century), is the earliest part. The rest of the nave dates largely...

A spectacular group of medieval buildings set on an outcrop of limestone in the Golden Vale including the 12th century round tower, High Cross and Romanesque Chapel, 13th century Gothic cathedral, 15th century castle and the restored Hall of the Vicars.

Features include an audio visual show entitled "Strongholds of Faith", which is available in English, French, Italian and German as well as various other exhibitions.

Please note that this is a very busy site and visitors m...

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...

An early Christian monastery was founded here by St. Colman Mac Lenen who died around 600, but all its buildings were burned in 1137. The cathedral of the present Church of Ireland Diocese was started around 1250, but because of much modernisation, comparatively little of this early church can be seen. The chancel has been heavily modernised; the chancel arch was blocked up in 1705 and removed completely in 1775. The east window was inserted in1856. The Cathedral's most famous Bishop was George...

The Cathedral of Our Lady Assumed into Heaven and Saint Nicholas, dominates Galway's skyline. It is on the site of the old Galway Gaol - featured in Lady Gregory's 'Gaol Gate'.

Dedicated in August 1965 by the late Cardinal Cushing of Boston, USA, the cathedral is built in cut limestone in a combination of classical and traditional design, and has Connemara Marble flooring....

The Church of Ireland cathedral (1749 - 1784) is spartan, dignified , eschewing human figures in its stained glass. The GPA Bolton Library is located in the grounds and contains the 18th century book collect of Dean Bolton.

The Catholic Church (1801 -1855 ) is exotic , almost alive with statuary dividing the aisles. Both are named for St John the Baptist and both vonvey a sense of Cashel's religious importance in the wall plaques commemorating Protestant archbishops and Catholic dea...

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...

Saint Brendan, the Navigator chose Ardfert to be the site of his monastery. Today you will find three medieval churches, an ogham stone and a number of early Christian grave slabs in the site. This is a fine example of an Irish medieval church.
Dating back to the 12th century examine the cathedrals west doorway which is Romanesque in design. Developments to the cathedral were continuous which can be seen with its magnificent 13th century east window and a spectacular row of nine lancets...

Saint Canices Cathedral is one of Ireland's finest. Completed in 1285, it occupies the site of an earlier church and contains rich carvings, worked in both timber and stone, some dating from the 13th century. It was sacked by Cromwell's army in 1650.
The walls are made of local Kilkenny limestone with pillars of sandstone on the interior. The south transept contains the effigies of the Butler family. It has colourful stained glass too and everywhere the authentic air of a structur...

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...