List of cathedrals in Ireland facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

Ireland is an island with a rich history, and part of that history includes many beautiful and important churches. This article will tell you about the cathedrals in Ireland, both those that are still used today and some that were important in the past. Ireland includes both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, and this list covers both parts of the island.

What is a Cathedral?
Important Words to Know
Cathedrals in Ireland Today
- Catholic Church Cathedrals
- Church of Ireland Cathedrals
  - Province of Armagh
  - Province of Dublin
Former Cathedrals
See also

What is a Cathedral?

You might think a cathedral is just a really big or fancy church. While many cathedrals are indeed large and grand, that's not what makes them a cathedral! A church is called a cathedral because it's the main church of a special area called a 'diocese'. It's where the bishop, a leader in the church, has their special seat, called a cathedra. So, a cathedral is important because of its role, not just its size.

Sometimes, a church might be called a 'pro-cathedral'. This means it's acting as the main church temporarily, perhaps while a new main cathedral is being built or found. A 'co-cathedral' means there are two main churches in one diocese, often because the area is very big or has many people.

Many old cathedrals started small and grew over hundreds of years. Some were even regular parish churches that later became cathedrals because of changes in how the church was organized. Even old cathedrals that are now ruins still keep their special name.

This list includes all the places in Ireland that have a current or former cathedral. It also includes places where a cathedral was planned but never built, or where the old building is now gone.

Important Words to Know

NM = National Monument. This means the building is a very important historical site protected by the government.
Translated = This means a bishop's main seat (and the cathedral status) moved from one church to another. This usually happens when church areas are reorganized.

Cathedrals in Ireland Today

Here are the cathedrals currently in use by the main Christian churches in Ireland.

Catholic Church Cathedrals

The Catholic Church in Ireland is divided into four main areas, called 'provinces'. Each province has an 'archdiocese' led by an archbishop, and several 'dioceses' led by bishops.

Province of Armagh

Establishment	Image	Dedication	Established	Notes	Location
Armagh	St. Patrick's Cathedral, Armagh (Catholic)	St. Patrick	1870	Main church for the Archdiocese of Armagh.	54°21′08″N 6°39′37″W / 54.3522546°N 6.6603756°W / 54.3522546; -6.6603756 (Armagh Cathedral (RC))
Belfast	St. Peter's Cathedral, Belfast	St. Peter	1866	For the Diocese of Down and Connor. Designed by Jeremiah McAuley and John O'Neill.	54°35′57″N 5°56′40″W / 54.5990382°N 5.9444082°W / 54.5990382; -5.9444082 (Belfast Cathedral (RC))
Cavan	Cavan Cathedral	St. Patrick and St. Feidlim	1942	For the Diocese of Kilmore.	53°59′54″N 7°21′40″W / 53.9984614°N 7.3610115°W / 53.9984614; -7.3610115 (Cavan Cathedral (RC))
Derry	St. Eugene's Cathedral, Derry	St. Eugene	1873	For the Diocese of Derry.	55°00′00″N 7°19′42″W / 54.9999582°N 7.3284602°W / 54.9999582; -7.3284602 (Derry Cathedral (RC))
Letterkenny	Cathedral of St. Eunan and St. Columba, Letterkenny	St. Eunan and St. Columba	1901	For the Diocese of Raphoe.	54°57′01″N 7°44′24″W / 54.9502909°N 7.7399969°W / 54.9502909; -7.7399969 (Letterkenny Cathedral (RC))
Longford	St. Mel's Cathedral, Longford	St. Mel	1840	For the Diocese of Ardagh and Clonmacnois. It was damaged by fire in 2009 but reopened in 2014.	53°43′38″N 7°47′47″W / 53.7272173°N 7.7962804°W / 53.7272173; -7.7962804 (Longford Cathedral (RC))
Monaghan	St. Macartan's Cathedral, Monaghan	St. Macartan	1892	For the Diocese of Clogher.	54°14′41″N 6°57′31″W / 54.2446477°N 6.958487°W / 54.2446477; -6.958487 (Monaghan Cathedral (RC))
Mullingar	Cathedral of Christ the King, Mullingar	Christ the King	1936	For the Diocese of Meath.	53°31′37″N 7°20′47″W / 53.5269418°N 7.3462915°W / 53.5269418; -7.3462915 (Mullingar Cathedral (RC))
Newry	Newry Cathedral	St. Patrick and St. Colman	1829	For the Diocese of Dromore.	54°10′29″N 6°20′16″W / 54.1747441°N 6.3376522°W / 54.1747441; -6.3376522 (Newry Cathedral (RC))

Province of Cashel

Establishment	Image	Dedication	Established	Notes	Location
Cobh	St. Colman's Cathedral, Cobh	St. Colman	1915	For the Diocese of Cloyne.	51°51′05″N 8°17′36″W / 51.8514735°N 8.2933044°W / 51.8514735; -8.2933044 (Cobh Cathedral (RC))
Cork	Cathedral of St. Mary and St. Anne, Cork	St. Mary and St. Anne	1869	This is a pro-cathedral for the Diocese of Cork and Ross.	51°54′17″N 8°28′35″W / 51.9047083°N 8.476274°W / 51.9047083; -8.476274 (Cork Cathedral (RC))
Ennis	Ennis Cathedral	St. Peter and St. Paul	1843	This is a pro-cathedral for the Diocese of Killaloe.	52°50′30″N 8°59′00″W / 52.8416355°N 8.9832973°W / 52.8416355; -8.9832973 (Ennis Cathedral (RC))
Killarney	Killarney Cathedral	The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary	1855	For the Diocese of Kerry.	52°03′34″N 9°31′07″W / 52.0595757°N 9.5185161°W / 52.0595757; -9.5185161 (Killarney Cathedral (RC))
Limerick	St. John's Cathedral, Limerick	St. John the Baptist	1859	For the Diocese of Limerick.	52°39′44″N 8°37′02″W / 52.6621467°N 8.6173153°W / 52.6621467; -8.6173153 (Limerick Cathedral (RC))
Skibbereen	St. Patrick's Cathedral, Skibbereen	St. Patrick	1826	For the Diocese of Cork and Ross.	51°33′08″N 9°15′49″W / 51.5522194°N 9.2636311°W / 51.5522194; -9.2636311 (Skibbereen Cathedral (RC))
Thurles	Cathedral of the Assumption, Thurles	The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary	1879	For the Archdiocese of Cashel and Emly. Built on the site of an old Carmelite Priory.	52°40′48″N 7°48′35″W / 52.6799597°N 7.8096485°W / 52.6799597; -7.8096485 (Thurles Cathedral (RC))
Waterford	Cathedral of the Most Holy Trinity, Waterford	The Most Holy Trinity	1796	For the Diocese of Waterford and Lismore.	52°15′41″N 7°06′40″W / 52.2614073°N 7.111094°W / 52.2614073; -7.111094 (Waterford Cathedral (RC))

Province of Dublin

Establishment	Image	Dedication	Established	Notes	Location
Carlow	Carlow Cathedral	The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary	1839	For the Diocese of Kildare and Leighlin.	52°50′13″N 6°55′41″W / 52.8370471°N 6.9279957°W / 52.8370471; -6.9279957 (Carlow Cathedral)
Dublin	St. Mary's Pro-Cathedral, Dublin	The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary	1825	This is a pro-cathedral for the Archdiocese of Dublin.	53°21′03″N 6°15′33″W / 53.350853°N 6.259149°W / 53.350853; -6.259149 (Carlow Cathedral (RC))
Enniscorthy	St. Aidan's Cathedral, Enniscorthy	St. Aidan	1860	For the Diocese of Ferns.	52°30′09″N 6°34′16″W / 52.5024493°N 6.5712029°W / 52.5024493; -6.5712029 (Enniscorthy Cathedral (RC))
Kilkenny	St. Mary's Cathedral, Kilkenny	The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary	1857	For the Diocese of Ossory.	52°39′09″N 7°15′25″W / 52.6524629°N 7.2569096°W / 52.6524629; -7.2569096 (Kilkenny Cathedral (RC))

Province of Tuam

Establishment	Image	Dedication	Established	Notes	Location
Ballaghaderreen	Ballaghaderreen Cathedral	The Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary and St Nathy	1860	For the Diocese of Achonry.	53°54′13″N 8°34′41″W / 53.9036081°N 8.5779405°W / 53.9036081; -8.5779405 (Ballaghaderreen Cathedral (RC))
Ballina	Ballina Cathedral	St Muredach	1892	For the Diocese of Killala.	54°06′46″N 9°09′02″W / 54.1126536°N 9.1505814°W / 54.1126536; -9.1505814 (Ballina Cathedral (RC))
Galway	Galway Cathedral	St. Nicholas and Our Lady Assumed into Heaven	1965	For the Diocese of Galway, Kilmacduagh and Kilfenora.	53°16′31″N 9°03′27″W / 53.2752544°N 9.0574443°W / 53.2752544; -9.0574443 (Galway Cathedral (RC))
Loughrea	Loughrea Cathedral	St. Brendan	1902	For the Diocese of Clonfert.	53°11′49″N 8°34′01″W / 53.1970032°N 8.5670292°W / 53.1970032; -8.5670292 (Loughrea Cathedral (RC))
Sligo	Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Sligo	The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary	1874	For the Diocese of Elphin.	54°16′12″N 8°28′42″W / 54.269892°N 8.4782159°W / 54.269892; -8.4782159 (Sligo Cathedral (RC))
Tuam	Cathedral of the Assumption, Tuam	The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary	1837	For the Archdiocese of Tuam.	53°30′55″N 8°50′51″W / 53.5153073°N 8.8473845°W / 53.5153073; -8.8473845 (Tuam Cathedral (RC))

Church of Ireland Cathedrals

The Church of Ireland also has its own cathedrals, organized into provinces and dioceses.

Province of Armagh

Establishment	Image	Dedication	Established	Notes	Location	Diocese
Armagh	St. Patrick's Cathedral, Armagh (Church of Ireland)	The Cathedral and Metropolitan Church of St. Patrick	445		54°20′51″N 6°39′23″W / 54.3474522°N 6.6562557°W / 54.3474522; -6.6562557 (Armagh Cathedral (CI))	Armagh
Belfast	St. Anne's Cathedral, Belfast	St. Anne	1904		54°36′10″N 5°55′43″W / 54.6027733°N 5.9284759°W / 54.6027733; -5.9284759 (Belfast Cathedral (CI))	Connor and Down and Dromore
Clogher	St. Macartan's Cathedral, Clogher	St. Macartan	1744	Built on the site of an ancient monastery.	54°24′39″N 7°10′19″W / 54.4107888°N 7.1719265°W / 54.4107888; -7.1719265 (Clogher Cathedral)	Clogher
Derry	St. Columb's Cathedral, Derry	St. Columb	1633		54°59′38″N 7°19′23″W / 54.9938163°N 7.3230529°W / 54.9938163; -7.3230529 (Derry Cathedral (CI))	Derry and Raphoe
Downpatrick	Down Cathedral, Downpatrick	The Holy and Undivided Trinity	1818	Also known as Down Cathedral, built on the site of an ancient monastery.	54°19′40″N 5°43′16″W / 54.3278839°N 5.7211573°W / 54.3278839; -5.7211573 (Down Cathedral)	Down and Dromore
Dromore	Dromore Cathedral	Christ the Redeemer	1609	Built on the site of an earlier church.	54°24′53″N 6°09′06″W / 54.4146743°N 6.151705°W / 54.4146743; -6.151705 (Dromore Cathedral)	Down and Dromore
Enniskillen	St. Macartin's Cathedral, Enniskillen	St. Macartan	1923	This was formerly a 17th-century parish church.	54°20′48″N 7°38′28″W / 54.3465806°N 7.6410078°W / 54.3465806; -7.6410078 (Enniskillen Cathedral)	Clogher
Kilmore	Kilmore Cathedral	St. Fethlimidh	1860	Also known as Bedell Memorial Church.	53°59′35″N 07°24′46″W / 53.99306°N 7.41278°W / 53.99306; -7.41278 (Kilmore Cathedral)	Kilmore, Elphin and Ardagh
Lisburn	Lisburn Cathedral	Christ Church	1662		54°30′41″N 6°02′30″W / 54.5112953°N 6.0417997°W / 54.5112953; -6.0417997 (Lisburn Cathedral)	Connor
Raphoe	Raphoe Cathedral	St. Eunan	9thC	Built on the site of a 6th-century monastery.	54°52′26″N 7°35′53″W / 54.8738165°N 7.5981617°W / 54.8738165; -7.5981617 (Raphoe Cathedral (CI))	Derry and Raphoe
Sligo	St. John the Baptist Cathedral, Sligo	St. Mary the Virgin and St. John the Baptist	1874		54°16′13″N 8°28′38″W / 54.270152°N 8.4771109°W / 54.270152; -8.4771109 (Sligo Cathedral (CI))	Kilmore, Elphin and Ardagh

Province of Dublin

Establishment	Image	Dedication	Established	Notes	Location	Diocese
Cashel	St. Patrick's Rock Cathedral, Cashel	St. John the Baptist and St. Patrick's Rock	1780		52°30′56″N 7°53′08″W / 52.5154896°N 7.8854799°W / 52.5154896; -7.8854799 (Cashel Cathedral (CI))	Cashel and Ossory
Clonfert	Clonfert Cathedral	St. Brendan			53°14′22″N 8°03′32″W / 53.239582°N 8.0590189°W / 53.239582; -8.0590189 (Clonfert Cathedral (CI))	Tuam, Limerick and Killaloe
Cloyne	Cloyne Cathedral	St. Colman			51°51′42″N 8°07′09″W / 51.8616518°N 8.1191111°W / 51.8616518; -8.1191111 (Cloyne Cathedral (CI))	Cork, Cloyne and Ross
Cork	St. Fin Barre's Cathedral, Cork	St. Fin Barre	1870		51°53′40″N 8°28′49″W / 51.8943312°N 8.4803349°W / 51.8943312; -8.4803349 (Cork Cathedral (CI))	Cork, Cloyne and Ross
Dublin	Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin	The Holy Trinity		Commonly called Christ Church Cathedral.	53°20′36″N 6°16′16″W / 53.3433652°N 6.2709832°W / 53.3433652; -6.2709832	Dublin and Glendalough
Dublin	St. Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin	St. Patrick		This is the National Cathedral and has a special relationship with all dioceses of the Church of Ireland.	53°20′22″N 6°16′17″W / 53.339444°N 6.271417°W / 53.339444; -6.271417 (St. Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin)	Dublin and Glendalough
Ferns	Ferns Cathedral	St. Edan			52°35′23″N 6°29′36″W / 52.5897138°N 6.493274°W / 52.5897138; -6.493274 (Ferns Cathedral (CI))	Cashel and Ossory
Kildare	Kildare Cathedral	St. Brigid			53°09′29″N 6°54′41″W / 53.1580684°N 6.9114304°W / 53.1580684; -6.9114304 (Kildare Cathedral (CI))	Meath and Kildare
Kilfenora	Kilfenora Cathedral	St. Fachtan	c.1200	Partly ruined, but the nave (main part) is still used for worship.	52°59′28″N 9°12′57″W / 52.9911402°N 9.2158556°W / 52.9911402; -9.2158556 (Kilfenora Cathedral (CI))	Tuam, Limerick and Killaloe
Kilkenny	St. Canice's Cathedral, Kilkenny	St. Canice			52°39′15″N 7°15′27″W / 52.654161°N 7.257505°W / 52.654161; -7.257505 (Kilkenny Cathedral (CI))	Cashel and Ossory
Killala	St. Patrick's Cathedral, Killala	St. Patrick	17thC		54°12′44″N 9°13′15″W / 54.212222°N 9.220833°W / 54.212222; -9.220833 (Killala Cathedral (CI))	Tuam, Limerick and Killaloe
Killaloe	Killaloe Cathedral	St. Flannan	12thC	Founded in 1185 by Donal Mor O'Brien on the site of an earlier monastery.	52°48′23″N 8°26′21″W / 52.8065233°N 8.4392488°W / 52.8065233; -8.4392488 (Killaloe Cathedral (CI))	Tuam, Limerick and Killaloe
Leighlin	St. Laserian's Cathedral, Old Leighlin	St. Laserian			52°44′11″N 7°01′34″W / 52.7362657°N 7.0261002°W / 52.7362657; -7.0261002 (Leighlin Cathedral (CI))	Cashel and Ossory
Limerick	St. Mary's Cathedral, Limerick	The Blessed Virgin Mary	1168		52°40′05″N 8°37′24″W / 52.6681459°N 8.6232591°W / 52.6681459; -8.6232591 (Limerick Cathedral (CI))	Tuam, Limerick and Killaloe
Lismore	Lismore Cathedral	The Blessed Virgin Mary and Saint Carthage			52°08′23″N 7°55′44″W / 52.1396913°N 7.928921°W / 52.1396913; -7.928921 (Lismore Cathedral (CI))	Cashel and Ossory
Rosscarbery	Cathedral Church of St. Fachtna, Rosscarbery	St. Fachtna			51°34′41″N 9°01′47″W / 51.5779496°N 9.0296781°W / 51.5779496; -9.0296781 (Rosscarbery Cathedral (CI))	Cork, Cloyne and Ross
Trim	Trim Cathedral	St. Patrick	1954	This was a 19th-century Parish Church.	53°33′30″N 6°47′26″W / 53.5582766°N 6.7906237°W / 53.5582766; -6.7906237 (Trim Cathedral (CI))	Meath and Kildare
Tuam	St. Mary's Cathedral, Tuam	St. Mary	19thC		53°30′50″N 8°51′19″W / 53.5139293°N 8.855238°W / 53.5139293; -8.855238 (Tuam Cathedral (CI))	Tuam, Limerick and Killaloe
Waterford	Christ Church Cathedral, Waterford	The Holy Trinity	1770	Commonly called Christ Church Cathedral.	52°15′36″N 7°06′27″W / 52.2599495°N 7.1075535°W / 52.2599495; -7.1075535 (Waterford Cathedral (CI))	Cashel and Ossory

Former Cathedrals

Many of these cathedrals stopped being used as cathedrals before the Reformation in Ireland. This was a time when big changes happened in the church, and many church buildings were transferred to the new Established Church. Most of these places were no longer cathedrals before the Church of Ireland was formed.

Establishment	Image	Dedication	Established	Notes	Location
Achonry	St. Crumnathy's Cathedral, Achonry	St. Crumnathy	1822–1997	Closed in 1997. The cathedral was built on the site of a monastery.	54°04′39″N 8°39′15″W / 54.0774319°N 8.6542869°W / 54.0774319; -8.6542869 (Achonry Cathedral (CI))
Annaghdown	Annaghdown Abbey	St. Brendan	10thC		54°04′39″N 8°39′15″W / 54.077432°N 8.654287°W / 54.077432; -8.654287 (Annaghdown Cathedral)
Ardagh	Ardagh Cathedral	Mél of Ardagh	10thC	Though it's said to be from St. Mél's time, the building you see today is from the 9th or 10th century.	53°40′02″N 7°41′33″W / 53.6671207°N 7.6925915°W / 53.6671207; -7.6925915 (Ardagh Cathedral)
Ardfert	Ardfert Cathedral	St. Brendan	13thC	Destroyed by fire in 1641. It is a National Monument (NM).	52°19′44″N 9°46′55″W / 52.3288091°N 9.7818661°W / 52.3288091; -9.7818661 (Ardfert Cathedral)
Ardmore	Ardmore Cathedral		13thC		51°56′56″N 7°43′34″W / 51.948828°N 7.7260709°W / 51.948828; -7.7260709 (Ardmore Cathedral)
Cashel	Rock of Cashel Cathedral				52°31′13″N 7°53′28″W / 52.52034°N 7.891129°W / 52.52034; -7.891129 (Cashel Cathedral)
Clonard		St. John		Destroyed by fire in 1206.
Connor		St. Saviour		Destroyed in the Irish Rebellion of 1641. A Church of Ireland Parish Church is now on the site.	54°48′26″N 6°12′45″W / 54.8072928°N 6.2123866°W / 54.8072928; -6.2123866 (Connor Cathedral)
Duleek				Located in County Meath.
Elphin		St. Mary the Virgin		This Church of Ireland parish church was ruined by a storm in the 1950s. The diocese later joined with Sligo.	53°50′43″N 8°11′26″W / 53.8452283°N 8.1905464°W / 53.8452283; -8.1905464 (Elphin Cathedral)
Emly	St. Ailbe's Church, Emly (former cathedral site)	St. Alibeus		Demolished in 1877.
Fermoy	St. Patrick's Church, Fermoy (former co-cathedral)	St. Patrick		This was a co-cathedral, but is now a regular parish church.	52°08′11″N 8°16′47″W / 52.136468°N 8.279786°W / 52.136468; -8.279786 (Fermoy Cathedral)
Glendalough	Glendalough Cathedral ruins	St. Peter and St. Paul	7th-13thC	A National Monument (NM).	53°00′38″N 6°19′37″W / 53.010556°N 6.326944°W / 53.010556; -6.326944 (Glendalough Cathedral)
Kilmacduagh	Kilmacduagh Cathedral ruins	St. Colman	15thC	A National Monument (NM).	53°02′52″N 8°53′17″W / 53.047778°N 8.888056°W / 53.047778; -8.888056 (Kilmacduagh Cathedral)
Newtown-Trim	Newtown-Trim Cathedral ruins	St. Peter and St. Paul	15thC	A National Monument (NM).	53°33′21″N 6°46′19″W / 53.555701°N 6.771966°W / 53.555701; -6.771966 (Newtown-Trim Cathedral)
Scattery Island	Ruins on Scattery Island			Located in County Clare.	52°36′51″N 9°31′00″W / 52.6141819°N 9.5167726°W / 52.6141819; -9.5167726 (Scattery Island Cathedral)