16 Cathedrals in Ireland
You don’t have the patience to walk through a whole museum but still want to see a bit of Irish culture? No problem, just visit one of the stunning Cathedrals you can find all over Ireland. Babylon Radio has prepared a list of 16 Cathedrals in Ireland that could interest you.
Province of Ulster
St Anne’s Cathedral, Belfast
This site on Donegall Street originally housed a smaller church in Classical style. The only feature of the old St Anne’s Church to remain in the present-day cathedral is the Good Samaritan Window. The cathedral is unusual in serving two separate dioceses, Connor and Down & Dromore, and so has not one but two Bishop’s Seats.
Price: £4-£5
Donegall Street, Belfast, Northern Ireland
Tel.: +44 (0)28 90 328 332
Web: belfastcathedral.org
St Peter’s Cathedral, Belfast
The Romanesque-style St Peter’s Cathedral was originally envisaged as the parish church for the expanding post-Famine Catholic population of Belfast. It opened its doors in 1866 while the signature twin spires were only added 20 years later. It possesses spectacular stained glass windows and its treasury boasts artefacts of international significance.
Price: Admission is free
Donegall Street, Belfast, Northern Ireland
Tel.: +44 (0)28 9032 4597
Web: churchservices.tv/stpeterscathedral
St Columb’s Cathedral, Derry
The Cathedral was built in 1633. The current tower and main building are that of the original cathedral. It has many fine stained-glass windows, memorials and a large collection of historical items from the time of the Siege of Derry.
Price: Free (donations towards the upkeep of the building are requested)
17 London Street, Derry, Northern Ireland
Tel.: +44 (0)28 7126 7313
Web: stcolumbscathedral.org
Down Cathedral, Downpatrick
Down Cathedral stands prominently on the Hill of Down overlooking the historic town of Downpatrick. Tradition holds that St Patrick was buried there and for over 1600 years Christians have worshipped this site. It is one of the destinations on St Patrick’s trail and a worthy visit for pilgrims and tourists alike.
Price: Free (Donations for the upkeep of the building are welcome). Guided tours are available for a small price.
English Street, Downpatrick, Northern Ireland
Tel.: +44 (0)28 4461 4922
Web: downcathedral.org
Province of Leinster
Cathedral of the Assumption, Carlow
The Carlow Cathedral is a Roman Catholic church built in 1833. The old church building that had stood there before was demolished and parts of its transept walls were incorporated into the new structure. It is the second oldest Roman Catholic cathedral built in Ireland and is known for its beautifully detailed spire.
Price: Admission is free
College Street, Graigue, Carlow
Tel.: +353 (0)59 916 4086
Web: carlowcathedral.ie
Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin
Christ Church Cathedral was originally a Viking church and is almost 1,000 years old. Visit the beautiful nave of the church, its crypt with fascinating treasures or climb the steep stairs up to the belfry to see the old church bells. It also stages many events throughout the year.
Price: 2.50€-7€ for self-guided tours; 6.50€-11€ for fully guided tours
Christchurch Plaza, Wood Quay, Dublin 8
Tel.: +353 (0)1 677 8099
Web: christchurchcathedral.ie
St Patrick’s Cathedral, Dublin
Built in honor of Ireland’s patron saint, Saint Patrick’s Cathedral offers visitors a rich and compelling cultural experience and is one of the few buildings left from medieval Dublin. It is the National Cathedral of the Church of Ireland and is the largest cathedral in the country. The cathedral is world famous for its choir which still performs daily and it hosts a number of concerts and events throughout the year.
Price: 6€-8€
St Patrick’s Close, Wood Quay, Dublin 8
Tel.: 353 (0)1 453 9472
Web: stpatrickscathedral.ie
St Canice’s Cathedral, Kilkenny
Built in 1285, St Canice’s has been preserved in its original style and form, like the wonerful stained glass windows and the unique marble floors in the sanctuary. View Kilkenny and the surrounding area from the 9th century round tower (if the weather permits) which is the oldest standing structure in modern day Kilkenny.
Price: 3.50€-4€ (Cathedral); 3€-4€ (Tower); 6€-7€ (Combination Tickets)
The Close, Coach Road, Kilkenny
Tel.: +353 (0)56 776 4971
Web: stcanicescathedral.ie
Province of Munster
St Colman’s Cathedral, Cobh
This Roman Catholic cathedral of neo-Gothic architecture was completed in 1919. The tower of the cathedral houses an unusual instrument called a carillon. With 49 bells it is one of the largest in the British Isles and the only one in the Republic of Ireland. It also includes Ireland’s largest bell, named St Colman (3.6 tons). The carillon plays every Sunday and on special occasions.
Price: (Guided Tours take place on Sunday afternoon and at other times by arrangement)
Cathedral Place, Kilgarvan, Cobh
Tel.: +353 (0)21 481 3222
Web: cobhcathedralparish.ie
St Fin Barre’s Cathedral, Cork
English architect and designer William Burges designed this magnificent example of neo-Gothic architecture, dedicated to St Finbarr, the patron saint of Cork City. Noteworthy features of its beautiful interior include stained glass windows depicting scenes from the Old and New Testament, marble mosaics and more than 1250 sculptures.
Price: 3€-6€
Bishop Street, The Lough, Cork
Tel.: +353 (0)21 496 3387
Web: corkcathedral.webs.com
Cathedral of the Most Holy Trinity, Waterford
Built in 1793, the Cathedral of the Most Holy Trinity is almost 220 years old and is Ireland’s oldest Catholic cathedral, though it has seen many changes throughout history. The cathedral is an important landmark in the city and forms a prominent centrepiece of the streets of Waterford.
Price: The admission is free
Barronstrand Street, Waterford
Tel.: +353 (0)51 875 166
Web: waterford-cathedral.com
Province of Connaght
Cathedral of Our Lady Assumed into Heaven & St Nicholas, Galway
Commonly referred to as Galway Cathedral it is one of Galway’s largest buildings, its huge octagonal dome visible for miles around. The cathedral itself is relatively new. It was completed in 1965, built of stone, which was unusual for the time, since most other buildings were built of concrete rather than stone. The building is a mixture of architectural styles, mostly Renaissance influences, but also Gothic arches and a Romanesque tower.
Price: Admission is free (donations of 2€ are welcome)
Galway Cathedral, Galway
Tel.: +353 (0)91 563 577
Web: galwaycathedral.ie
St Brendan’s Cathedral, Loughrea
Although small in size, St Brendan’s Cathedral is large in its interior magnificence and is often called the crown jewel of Celtic Revival. The Irish Arts & Crafts movement decorated the interior of the cathedral, which makes St Brendan’s the first cathedral to be decorated by them. For example, a number of talented and famous stained-glass artists created its beautiful windows.
Price: Admission is free
Barrack Street, Loughrea, County Galway
Tel.: +353 (0)91 841 212
Web: loughreacathedral.ie
St Mary’s Cathedral, Tuam
The first St Mary’s Cathedral was built in the 12th century but lasted only a few years, because it was destroyed by fire in 1184. In the 14th century they built a second cathedral, a little east of the original building and incorporated the remains of the entrance and sanctuary of the 12th century cathedral. The influx of people in the 19th century made it necessary to build a third St Mary’s Cathedral, incorporating parts of the old cathedrals as well. Modern-day St Mary’s houses relics of Tuam’s history, like the city’s High Cross.
Price: Admission is free
Abbey Trinity, Tuam, County Galway
Web: tuam.galway-ireland.ie/st-marys-cathedral.htm
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Jacqueline Russe
Jacqueline is a German journalist and editor for Babylon Radio who likes comics, manga and video games. She is a state-certified translator for both English and German, currently working on her Bachelor's in Technical Translation.