St Canice's Cathedral facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St Canice's Cathedral |
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| 52°39′24.40″N 07°15′25.72″W / 52.6567778°N 7.2571444°W | |
| Location | County Kilkenny |
| Country | Ireland |
| Denomination | Church of Ireland |
| Previous denomination | Roman Catholic |
| Website | www.stcanicescathedral.com |
| History | |
| Dedication | St. Canice |
| Architecture | |
| Style | Gothic |
| Years built | 13 century (between 1202 and 1285) |
| Specifications | |
| Bells | 8 |
| Administration | |
| Archdeaconry | Ossory and Leighlin |
| Diocese | Cashel and Ossory |
| Province | Dublin |
St Canice's Cathedral, also known as Kilkenny Cathedral, is a famous church in Kilkenny city, Ireland. It belongs to the Church of Ireland. This beautiful building is one of six cathedrals in the Diocese of Cashel and Ossory.
Contents
Discovering St Canice's History
This amazing building was built in the 13th century. It is the second longest cathedral in all of Ireland. Only St Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin is longer. Right next to the cathedral, you'll see a tall, 100-foot round tower. This tower is very old, dating back to the 9th century. It's a great example of an ancient "Celtic Christian" tower.
Who was St Canice?
The cathedral is named after St Canice. He was an important figure in early Irish Christianity. His name is even part of the city's name. "Kilkenny" comes from the Irish Cill Chainnigh. This means "Church of Cainneach" or "Canice."
Climbing the Ancient Tower
The round tower is one of only three medieval round towers in Ireland that you can still climb. The other two are in Kildare Town and Devenish. From the top, you get an amazing view of Kilkenny city.
Early Beginnings of the Church
The cathedral stands where a Celtic Christian monastery once was. People believe St Canice founded it in the 6th century. In 1111, Ireland was divided into church areas called dioceses. Kilkenny became the main church city for the Diocese of Ossory. So, the monastery church became the cathedral.
Changes Over Time
In the 16th century, the Irish church changed. It followed the English church and separated from Rome. St Canice's Cathedral became a Protestant church. Most people in Ireland stayed Roman Catholic. Later, St Mary's Cathedral was built for the Roman Catholic community in Kilkenny.
What the Cathedral Looks Like
The cathedral has a style called Early Gothic. It is made from limestone. Inside, you'll find many beautiful stained glass windows. The east window is a copy of the original 13th-century one. The cathedral also has some of Ireland's best 16th-century monuments.
Ancient Roots of Kilkenny
Kilkenny was once the old capital of the Kingdom of Ossory. People have worshipped on the cathedral's site since the 6th century. The first church here was probably made of wood. Later, a stone church was built. Then, the grand medieval cathedral we see today replaced it.
The Round Tower's Purpose
The 100-foot round tower is very old. It might have been used as a watchtower or a safe place. The hill where the cathedral stands was likely the first big settlement in Kilkenny. The area around the cathedral, called Irishtown, is the oldest part of the city.
Early Records of Kilkenny
Old Irish records, like the Annals of the Four Masters, mention Kilkenny. They say "Ceall-Cainnigh was for the most part burned" in 1085. It was burned again in 1114. The current building started being built in the 13th century. It looks similar to St Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin, which was built around the same time.
Music in the Cathedral's Past
In the 1300s, a bishop named Richard de Ledrede wrote songs for the cathedral's choir. He wanted them to sing holy songs instead of popular ones. The cathedral was "restored" between 1844 and 1867. But important old parts were kept safe.
Exploring St Canice's Cathedral
The cathedral is shaped like a cross. It is built in the Early English style. It has a low central tower with black marble columns. The outside walls have a special design called battlements. There are also two small spires at the west end. The cathedral is about 75 yards long. It is 41 yards wide across its arms (transepts).
Inside the Cathedral
Inside, tall, pointed arches lead from the main area (nave) to the choir and the two transepts. Between the nave and each side aisle, there are five black marble columns. The nave gets light from a large west window and five upper windows (clerestory windows). The choir has a beautiful arched ceiling with cherubs.
Special Features
The baptismal font is very old, from medieval times. The ancient stone chair for bishops is still there. It's in the north transept. Bishops of Ossory are still officially seated there today.
The cathedral has some of Ireland's most important old monuments. These include tombs of bishops and owners of Kilkenny Castle. You can see carvings from Europe on the choir stalls. The cathedral also has many stained glass windows. The east window is a copy of the original 13th-century one.
In the north transept, you'll find the ancient Chair of St Kieran. It's made of carved stone. This chair is still used when new Church of Ireland Bishops of Cashel and Ossory are officially welcomed.
St Canice's Library
This library was started in 1693 by Bishop Thomas Otway. It holds many old religious books and items. These mostly relate to Bishop Otway and Bishop Edward Maurice from the 17th and 18th centuries. In 2013, the Maurice Otway collection was moved to Maynooth College for care. Some documents also went to Dublin.
Important People Buried Here
Many important people are buried or remembered at St Canice's Cathedral. These include:
- William de Karlell (died 1383), a judge, and his brother John (died 1393).
- The 2nd Earl of Ormond (1331–1382).
- The 8th Earl of Ormond (around 1467–1539).
- The 10th Earl of Ormond (1531–1614).
- The 11th Earl of Ormond (1559–1632/3).
- David Rothe (1573–1650), a Roman Catholic Bishop. He has a memorial here.
- Griffith Williams (around 1589–1672), a Bishop of Ossory.
- Hugh Hamilton (1729–1805), a Bishop of Ossory.
- Denis Pack (1772–1823), a Major-General in the British Army.
Images for kids
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Signatures of the Four Masters
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Image from an old handbook about St Canice's Cathedral.
See also
- List of abbeys and priories in County Kilkenny
- Bishop of Cashel and Ossory
- Dean of Kilkenny
