List of cathedrals in Ireland

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This article lists the cathedrals, former cathedrals and intended cathedrals in Ireland.

Contents

[edit] Overview

It is a commonly held perception that the term 'cathedral' may be applied to any particularly large or grand church. Whilst many cathedrals may be such, this is due to their ecclesiastical status (such a church is grand because it is a cathedral, rather than it being a cathedral because of its grandeur). A cathedral may therefore be a smaller building, particularly where they exist in sparser or poorer communities. Modern cathedrals may lack the grandeur of former times, focussing on the functional aspect of a place of worship, though it should be borne in mind that many of the grand and ancient cathedrals of today were originally built to a much smaller plan, and have been successively extended and rebuilt over the centuries. Some cathedrals were purpose-built as such, whilst others were formerly parochial, or parish churches, subsequently promoted in status due to ecclesiastical requirements such as periodic diocesan reorganisation.

Essentially, a cathedral church is a Christian place of worship which is the chief, or 'mother' church of a diocese and is distinguished as such by being the location for the cathedra or bishop's seat. Strictly speaking therefore, only those Christian denominations with an episcopal hierarchy possess cathedrals. However the label 'cathedral' remains in common parlance for notable churches which were formerly part of an episcopal denomination, such as is the case with many former Scottish cathedrals which are now within the Presbyterian Church of Scotland (see List of cathedrals in the United Kingdom). In addition former cathedrals which now exist as ruins retain their nominal status.

The following list comprises, the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, all locations of a current cathedral church, or former cathedral church, as well as those locations where no trace remains of the structure, indeed where the precise location is no longer known.

Also included are those structures or sites of intended cathedrals as well as pro-cathedrals (churches serving as an interim cathedral, for instance whilst a permanent cathedral is acquired, or (as a co-cathedral where the diocesan demographics/geography require the bishop's seat to be shared with a building in an alternate location).

The inclusion of the entire island of Ireland is strictly for ecclesiastical reasons. Northern Ireland is represented because, although it politically comprises part of the United Kingdom, ecclesiastically the island comprises a single geographically-based unit.

In the list which follows the cathedrals are listed by denomination and (where applicable) denominational hierarchy. Disused establishments are listed separately.

Terms not covered in the above preamble include translated, which is the move of a bishop's seat from one location to another, moving cathedral status from the former church and bestowing it on the destination church, such as may occur in a diocesan or provincial re-organisation.


[edit] Abbreviations and Key

  • + indicates non-cathedral ecclesiastical use.

[edit] Listing of establishments

[edit] Catholic Church

[edit] Province of Armagh

Establishment Image Dedication Established Notes/Provenance Location & Website
Armagh St. Patrick 1870 [1]
Belfast St. Peter 1866 [2]
Cavan St. Patrick and St. Feidlim 1942 [3]
Derry St. Eugene 1873
Letterkenny St. Eunan and St. Columba 1901
Longford St. Mel mid 19thC
Monaghan St. Macartan 1892
Mullingar Christ the King 1936
Newry St. Patrick and St. Colman 1829

[edit] Province of Cashel

Establishment Image Dedication Established Notes/Provenance Location & Website
Cobh St. Colman 1915 [4]
Cork St. Mary and St. Anne 1869 pro-cathedral [5]
Ennis St. Peter and St. Paul 1843 pro-cathedral
Killarney The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary 1855
Limerick St. John the Baptist 1859
Skibbereen St. Patrick 1826
Thurles The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary 1879 built on site of Carmelite Priory
Waterford The Most Holy Trinity 1796

[edit] Province of Dublin

Establishment Image Dedication Established Notes/Provenance Location & Website
Carlow The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary 1839
Dublin The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary 1825 pro-cathedral [6]
Enniscorthy St. Aidan 1860 [7]
Kilkenny The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary 1857 [8]

[edit] Province of Tuam

Establishment Image Dedication Established Notes/Provenance Location & Website
Ballaghaderreen The Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary and St Nathy 1860 [9]
Ballina St Muredach 1892 [10]
Galway St. Nicholas and Our Lady Assumed into Heaven 1965 [11]
Loughrea St. Brendan 19thC
Sligo The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary 1874 [12]
Tuam The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary 1837 [13]

[edit] Church of Ireland (including pre-Reformation)

[edit] Province of Armagh

Establishment Image Dedication Established Notes/Provenance Location & Website
Achonry St. Crumnathy 1822-1997 on site of monastery
Armagh The Cathedral and Metropolitan Church of St. Patrick [14]
Belfast St. Anne [15]
Clogher St. Macartan on site of an ancient monastery
Connor St. Saviour now CI Parish Church
Derry St. Columb
Downpatrick The Holy and Undivided Trinity on site of ancient monastery (also known as Down Cathedral)
Dromore Christ the Redeemer 1661 on site of an earlier church
Elphin+ St. Mary the Virgin now Church of Ireland parish church
Enniskillen St. Macartan 1924 former 17thC parish church
Killala St. Patrick 17thC
Kilmore St. Fethlimidh Bedell Memorial Church
Lisburn Christ Church
Maghera The Blessed Virgin Mary
Raphoe St. Eunan 9thC on site of 6thC monastery
Sligo St. Mary the Virgin and St. John the Baptist 1874 [16]
Tuam St. Mary 19thC [17]

[edit] Province of Dublin

Establishment Image Dedication Established Notes/Provenance Location & Website
Cashel St. John the Baptist and St. Patrick's Rock 1780
Clonmacnoise St. Kieran
Clonfert St. Brendan
Cloyne St. Colman
Cork St. Fin Barre 1870 [18]
Dublin The Holy Trinity commonly called Christ Church Cathedral [19]
Dublin St. Patrick The National Cathedral is not a cathedral of the Diocese of Dublin. It has a common relationship with all the dioceses of the Church of Ireland [20]
Ferns St. Edan
Kildare St. Brigid
Kilfenora St. Fachtan c.1200
Kilkennny St. Canice [21]
Killaloe St. Flannan 12thC Founded (on the site of an earlier monastery) in 1185 by Donal Mor O'Brien
Leighlin St. Laserian [22]
Limerick The Blessed Virgin Mary 1168
Lismore The Blessed Virgin Carthage
Ross Carbery St. Fachtna
Trim St. Patrick 1954 19thC Parish Church
Waterford The Holy and Undivided Trinity 1770 Commonly called Christ Church Cathedral

[edit] Former and intended cathedrals

Establishment Image Dedication Established Notes/Provenance Location & Website
Ardagh St. Mel 10thC
Ardfert St. Brendan 13thC destroyed by fire 1641 (NM)
Ardmore 13thC
Clonard St. John destroyd by fire 1206
Duleek Co. Meath
Emly St. Alibeus demolished 1877
Glendalough St. Peter and St. Paul 7th-13thC (NM)
Kilmacduagh St. Colman 15thC (NM)
Scattery Island Co. Clare

[edit] Russian Orthodox Church

Establishment Image Dedication Established Notes/Provenance Location & Website
Dublin The Holy Apostles, St. Peter and St. Paul located on Harold’s Cross Road

[edit] Church of Ireland (Traditional Rite)

Establishment Image Dedication Established Notes/Provenance Location & Website
Newtownards St. John 1991 built as a Quaker Meeting House in the mid-18thC

[edit] See also

[edit] External links