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List of cathedrals in Ireland facts for kids

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This article lists the current and former cathedrals of the main Christian churches in Ireland. Since the main denominations are organised on an all-Ireland basis, this article includes information about both jurisdictions: Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

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 an episcopal see 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 polity possess cathedrals. However the label 'cathedral' remains in common parlance for notable churches which were formerly part of an episcopal denomination, such as may be the case with some Scottish churches which are now within the Presbyterian Church of Scotland (see List of cathedrals in Scotland). In addition, former cathedrals which may now be in a ruined state, retain their nominal status.

The following list comprises, for 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 requires 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.

The geographical co-ordinates provided are sourced from details provided by Ordnance Survey Ireland.

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.

Abbreviations and Key


Listing of establishments

Catholic Church

Province of Armagh

Establishment Image Dedication Established Notes/Provenance Location & Website
Armagh ArmaghRCCathedral.JPG St. Patrick 1870 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 BelfastRCCathedral.JPG St. Peter 1866 Diocese of Down and Connor

Architects Jeremiah McAuley, a native Belfast priest 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.JPG St. Patrick and St. Feidlim 1942 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 - Londonderry - geograph.org.uk - 1159174.jpg St. Eugene 1873 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 LetterkennyCathedral.jpg St. Eunan and St. Columba 1901 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 LongfordCathedral.JPG St. Mel 1840 Diocese of Ardagh and Clonmacnois

Destroyed by fire in December 2009, then restored and reopened on 24 December 2014.

53°43′38″N 7°47′47″W / 53.7272173°N 7.7962804°W / 53.7272173; -7.7962804 (Longford Cathedral (RC))
Monaghan MonaghanCathedral.JPG St. Macartan 1892 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 MullingarCathedral.JPG Christ the King 1936 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 NewryCathedral.JPG St. Patrick and St. Colman 1829 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/Provenance Location & Website
Cobh Cobh-Cathedral-West-Side-2012.JPG St. Colman 1915 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 CorkRCCathedral.JPG St. Mary and St. Anne 1869 Diocese of Cork and Ross

pro-cathedral

51°54′17″N 8°28′35″W / 51.9047083°N 8.476274°W / 51.9047083; -8.476274 (Cork Cathedral (RC))
Ennis EnnisCathedral.jpg St. Peter and St. Paul 1843 Diocese of Killaloe

pro-cathedral

52°50′30″N 8°59′00″W / 52.8416355°N 8.9832973°W / 52.8416355; -8.9832973 (Ennis Cathedral (RC))
Killarney Killarney Cathedral by Paride.JPG The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary 1855 Diocese of Kerry (Ardfert & Aghadoe) 52°03′34″N 9°31′07″W / 52.0595757°N 9.5185161°W / 52.0595757; -9.5185161 (Killarney Cathedral (RC))
Limerick LimerickRCCathedral.jpg St. John the Baptist 1859 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 SkibbereenCathedral.JPG St. Patrick 1826 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 ThurlesCathedral.JPG The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary 1879 Archdiocese of Cashel and Emly

built on the site of a Carmelite Priory

52°40′48″N 7°48′35″W / 52.6799597°N 7.8096485°W / 52.6799597; -7.8096485 (Thurles Cathedral (RC))
Waterford WaterfordRCCathedral.JPG The Most Holy Trinity 1796 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/Provenance Location & Website
Carlow Carlow-cathedral.JPG The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary 1839 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 Procath.jpg The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary 1825 Archdiocese of Dublin

pro-cathedral

53°21′03″N 6°15′33″W / 53.350853°N 6.259149°W / 53.350853; -6.259149 (Carlow Cathedral (RC))
Enniscorthy EnniscorthyCathedral.JPG St. Aidan 1860 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. Marys Cathedral in Kilkenny.jpg The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary 1857 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/Provenance Location & Website
Ballaghaderreen BallaghaderreenCathedral.jpg The Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary and St Nathy 1860 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 BallinaCathedral.jpg St Muredach 1892 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.jpg.jpg St. Nicholas and Our Lady Assumed into Heaven 1965 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 LoughreaCathedral.jpg St. Brendan 1902 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 SligoRCCathedral.JPG The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary 1874 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 TuamRCCathedral.jpg The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary 1837 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

Province of Armagh

Establishment Image Dedication Established Notes/Provenance Location & Website Diocese
Armagh ArmaghCICathedral.jpg 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 BelfastCICathedral.jpg 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 ClogherCathedral.JPG St. Macartan 1744 on 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 StColumbs.JPG 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 DownpatrickCathedral.JPG The Holy and Undivided Trinity 1818 (also known as Down Cathedral)
on site of 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 DromoreCathedral.JPG Christ the Redeemer 1609 on 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 EnniskillenCathedral.jpg St. Macartan 1923 former 17thC parish church 54°20′48″N 7°38′28″W / 54.3465806°N 7.6410078°W / 54.3465806; -7.6410078 (Enniskillen Cathedral) Clogher
Killala KillalaCathedral.jpg 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, Killala and Achonry
Kilmore KilmoreCathederal.jpg St. Fethlimidh 1860 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 LisburnCathedral.jpg 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 RaphoeCathedral.JPG St. Eunan 9thC on site of 6thC 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 SligoCICathedral.JPG 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
Tuam Tuam St Mary's Cathedral 2009 09 14.jpg 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, Killala and Achonry

Province of Dublin

Establishment Image Dedication Established Notes/Provenance Location & Website Diocese
Cashel CashelCICathedral.JPG 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 ClonfertCathedral.JPG St. Brendan 53°14′22″N 8°03′32″W / 53.239582°N 8.0590189°W / 53.239582; -8.0590189 (Clonfert Cathedral (CI)) Limerick and Killaloe
Cloyne CloyneCathedral.JPG 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 CorkCathedralsunlight.jpg 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, 2016-06-03.jpg 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 Christchurch Cathedral (CI)) Dublin and Glendalough
Dublin DublinStPatrick'sCathedral.JPG 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 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 FernsCathedral.JPG 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 KildareCathedral.JPG 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 KilfenoraCathedral.jpg St. Fachtan c.1200 partly ruined; nave in use for worship 52°59′28″N 9°12′57″W / 52.9911402°N 9.2158556°W / 52.9911402; -9.2158556 (Kilfenora Cathedral (CI)) Limerick and Killaloe
Kilkenny KilkennyCathedral.jpg 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
Killaloe KillaloeCathedral.jpg St. Flannan 12thC founded (on the site of an earlier monastery) in 1185 by Donal Mor O'Brien 52°48′23″N 8°26′21″W / 52.8065233°N 8.4392488°W / 52.8065233; -8.4392488 (Killaloe Cathedral (CI)) Limerick and Killaloe
Leighlin LeighlinCathedral.JPG 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 LimerickCICathedral.jpg 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)) Limerick and Killaloe
Lismore Lismore St Carthages Cathedral 2007 08 03.jpg 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 RosscarberyCathedral.JPG 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 TrimCathedral.jpg St. Patrick 1954 19thC 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
Waterford Christ Church Cathedral Waterford from The Mall.jpg 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

With some exceptions, these former cathedrals were established prior to the Reformation in Ireland and the subsequent transfer of Church assets to the Established church. Most had ceased to be cathedrals prior to the establishment of the Church of Ireland.

Establishment Image Dedication Established Notes/Provenance Location & Website
Achonry AchonryCathedral.jpg 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 AnnaghdownCathedral.jpg St. Brendan 10thC 54°04′39″N 8°39′15″W / 54.077432°N 8.654287°W / 54.077432; -8.654287 (Annaghdown Cathedral)
Ardagh ArdaghCathedral.JPG Mél of Ardagh 10thC Although reputed to date from the time of St Mél, the structure visible today is a 9th or 10th century building. 53°40′02″N 7°41′33″W / 53.6671207°N 7.6925915°W / 53.6671207; -7.6925915 (Ardagh Cathedral)
Ardfert ArdfertCathedral.jpg St. Brendan 13thC destroyed by fire 1641 (NM) 52°19′44″N 9°46′55″W / 52.3288091°N 9.7818661°W / 52.3288091; -9.7818661 (Ardfert Cathedral)
Ardmore ArdmoreCathedral.JPG 13thC 51°56′56″N 7°43′34″W / 51.948828°N 7.7260709°W / 51.948828; -7.7260709 (Ardmore Cathedral)
Cashel CashelCathedral.JPG 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 1206
Connor + St. Saviour destroyed in the Irish Rebellion of 1641; CI Parish Church on site 54°48′26″N 6°12′45″W / 54.8072928°N 6.2123866°W / 54.8072928; -6.2123866 (Connor Cathedral)
Duleek Co. Meath
Emly StAilbe'sChurchEmly.JPG St. Alibeus demolished 1877
Elphin St. Mary the Virgin Church of Ireland parish church, wrecked by storm damage in the 1950s, now ruined; diocese amalgamated with Sligo 53°50′43″N 8°11′26″W / 53.8452283°N 8.1905464°W / 53.8452283; -8.1905464 (Elphin Cathedral)
Fermoy FermoyStPatrick.jpg St. Patrick co-cathedral, now parochial church 52°08′11″N 8°16′47″W / 52.136468°N 8.279786°W / 52.136468; -8.279786 (Fermoy Cathedral)
Glendalough Glendalough view.JPG St. Peter and St. Paul 7th-13thC (NM) 53°00′38″N 6°19′37″W / 53.010556°N 6.326944°W / 53.010556; -6.326944 (Glendalough Cathedral)
Kilmacduagh KilmacduaghCathedral&Monastery.jpg St. Colman 15thC (NM) 53°02′52″N 8°53′17″W / 53.047778°N 8.888056°W / 53.047778; -8.888056 (Kilmacduagh Cathedral)
Newtown-Trim NewtownTrimCathedral.JPG St. Peter and St. Paul 15thC (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, 1902.jpeg Co. Clare 52°36′51″N 9°31′00″W / 52.6141819°N 9.5167726°W / 52.6141819; -9.5167726 (Scattery Island Cathedral)
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