Newry Cathedral

Newry Cathedral or the Cathedral of Saint Patrick and Saint Colman is a Roman Catholic cathedral located in Newry, Northern Ireland. It acts as the seat of the Bishop of Dromore, and the Mother church of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Dromore, and has had its own independent jurisdiction ever since. The old cathedral of Dromore, which had been taken by the Protestants, was burnt down by the Irish insurgents in 1641 and rebuilt by Bishop Taylor twenty years later; the Catholic Church was erected later. In 1750 the seat of the cathedral was transferred to Newry, the largest town of County Down, situated at the head of Carlingford Lough.

Newry Cathedral, dedicated under the joint patronage of St Patrick & St Colman, was designed by the city's greatest native architect Thomas Duff; work began in 1825, with the basic building completed in 1829. Built of local granite, it was the first Catholic cathedral in Ireland opened after Catholic Emancipation.

Work continued to enlarge and beautify the cathedral at various stages in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries: the tower and transept were added in 1888 and the nave was extended in 1904 under the supervision of Bishop Henry O'Neill.

It is a Grade A listed building.History
Department of Communities website. Retrieved 29 October 2017.

The cathedral replaced St Mary's Church (the Old Chapel), which had been constructed by Bishop Lennan in 1789 and which, for forty years, doubled as both a parish church and quasi-cathedral, two bishops having received episcopal consecration there.

The stately Gothic Cathedral of SS. Patrick and Colman graces Newry’s Main Street. Though less imposing outwardly than other Irish cathedrals, many admit that the interior decoration of the cathedral is second to none in Ireland.

Foundation stone

Details of the actual ceremony for the laying of the foundation stone are lacking. The Newry ''Telegraph'' records the fact that Bishop O’Kelly performed the ceremony on 8 June 1825.
Under his successor, Dr. Thomas Kelly, work on the cathedral continued. Within four years, the fabric of the church was completed, and the dedication ceremony was performed by the Primate, Dr. Curtis, on 6 May 1829 at 12 O'Clock. The dedication sermon was preached by Dr. Doyle, Bishop of Kildare and Leighlin. A contemporary writer referred to the ceremony as "the greatest attendance of Bishops and clergy seen for three centuries in the north of Ireland."

The Bishop's of the province dressed in Pontificals, walked in procession from the Sacristyto the Great West Door. After the Dedication ceremonies were concluded Solemn High Mass was offered. A collection was taken up by several Noblemen and Gentlemen to help defray the building costs. The sum of the collection was £141, 2s. 8d. The inside of the Cathedral was unfinished at the time of the Dedication. The galleries were also unfinished. Admission to the service was regulated by tickets at 5s. each. Upon opening the Cathedral was known as the Cathedral Church of St. Patrick. Locally it was known as the "New Chapel."

= Second Phase of the building, 1888 - 1890 =
The second phase of the building works was undertaken between the years 1888 - 1890. shortly after the appointment of Dr. Thomas McGivern as Co-adjustor under Bishop Pius Leahy. The arrival of a Papal Envoy suggested to Bishop Leahy that his Cathedral Church was not in keeping with the dignity of the diocese; as a response Bishop Leahy initiated the Second Phase of the building work under the direction of Bishop McGivern. The structural extensions carried out came to a cost of over £12,000. In 1888 the two transepts were added, the south transept being smaller than the north transept due to the mill in what is now the Cathedral garden. In 1890 the Great Bell Tower was completed and a new sacristy was erected. In 1891 a new High Altar was erected in the sanctuary in memory of Bishop Leahy. Despite the tower being completed in 1890 the peal of joy bells was not installed until 1898; along with the toll bell which had previously been on a temporary structure behind the church. The Joy-Bells were installed through the bequest of Rev. Bernard McAleenan, Parish Priest of Tullylish.

= Third Phase of the building 1904 - 1909 =
The third phase of building works was carried out under the direction of Bishop Henry O'Neill, who was Bishop of Dromore from 1901 - 1915. Monsignor Campbell a future administrator of the Cathedral Parish states, "it is to the refined taste and noble ideals of Bishop O'Neill, perhaps more than anyone else, that the proportions and grandeur of the Cathedral, as we know it today, are due." the architectural firm for the third scheme was Ashlin and Coleman of Dublin. Denis Neary who at the time was Newry's leading contractor was appointed contractor.

The third phase of the scheme involved extending the body of the Cathedral 40 feet towards Hill Street and approximately 30 towards Lower Water Street. The entire original facade of the cathedral was demolished and rebuilt in its original form following the extension of the nave of the church. The Sacristy which had been build behind the original Sanctuary, was removed and rebuilt as originally designed, to the North-East corner where it currently stands. The new sanctuary was panelled in marble and divided off from the side chapels by carved rood screens in Carrara Marble. Five new stained glass windows, the work of Hardman of Manchester, were erected around the rear of the Sanctuary. The entire walls of the church from floor to ceiling, the sanctuary floor, the floors of the side-chapels and the passages of the nave, were covered in richly coloured mosaics. When Dr. O'Neill undertook his work there were many who considered his plans rather ambitious given the financial constraints of Diocesan coffers. However, sufficient funds kept coming which gave encouraging hope and work progressed smoothly.

Generous sums of money was raised by the parish and diocese, a number of priests were appointed to travel further afield to other parts of Ireland, England, Scotland and the United States of America.

The mosaic work was carried out by Oppenheimer of Manchester. The Cathedral contains the largest quantity of gold leafed mosaic in Ireland. The sections of mosaic were put together in a workshop and were glued, face downwards, on strips of parchment. These were applied to the walls in a similar manner to hanging wallpaper.

A new tubular triple manual organ was built by Telford and Telford in Dublin. A new heating system, seating and other general church furnishings were added during this time.

Two years after the completion of this work Dr. O'Neill purchased the spacious grounds to the south of the Cathedral where a mill once stood; which was destroyed in a fire which threatened the Cathedral.

= Cathedral Dignity 1919 - Solemn Consecration 1925 =
The great sums collected by Dr. O'Neill did not liquidate the cost of the reconstruction work. Though £30,000 had been raised, a heavy debt still remained. This debt was cleared in 1918 by the Most Reverend Edward Mulhern two years after his appointment to the See of Dromore. Though usually designated as a Cathedral, the premier Church of the Diocese ranked canonically only as a pro-cathedral, with Saint Patrick as its only Titular.

At the instance of Bishop Edward Mulhern, the Holy See, by a decree of the Sacred Congregation of Rites, dated 7th March, 1919, raised the present church to the rank and dignity of a Cathedral. By the same decree the name of St. Colman, Patron of the Diocese, was added to that of St. Patrick as joint Titular ''aeque principalis.''

The Cathedral of SS Patrick & Colman is one of the few church's in Ireland to be privileged with Solemn Consecration. With all debts cleared and the purchase of ground rents secured, Bishop Mulhern solemnly consecrated the building on Tuesday, 21st July, 1925 - just one hundred years after the laying of its foundation stone. On the following Sunday impressive centenary ceremonies amid great jubilation marked the solemn occasion. At this function the Most Reverent Dr. Mulhern presided and over twenty Archbishops and Bishops were present including the Primate, Most Rev. Dr. O'Donnell, several Irish Bishops and also a number of foreign Bishops representative of five continents. The streets of Newry were tastefully bedecked with shrines, arches, bunting and papal flags for the occasion.

= Cathedral Sanctuary =
The most imposing shrine in the Cathedral is the High Altar which commands the attention of all visitors. It is in gothic style with reredos gracefully turreted, it is mainly of Carrara and Statuary marble, relived by columns in Sienna and Verde Alpi with small panels in Porta Santa. The Tabernacle is enclosed by a handsomely - wrought golden doors beset with coloured jewels. In the reredos two fine marble panels are shown - a sculpture of the Nativity, and on the Gospel side and on the Epistle side a sculpture of Christ commissioning the Apostles. On either side of the altar is a marble seraph bearing a torch. On either side of the tabernacle is as adoring angel, presented by Bishop Mulhern. The Altar is decorated with candlesticks bearing enamel figures of the saints; a crucifix to match rests on a marble throne above the tabernacle and bears an ivory figure of Christ Crucified.

The Main Sanctuary offers a splendid and fitting setting to the High Altar. the lower portion of the Sanctuary walls are panelled in marbles - Levanto Red, Porta Santa and Paonazzo - while the upper walls are finished in gold and richly coloured mosaics exhibiting a variety of emblematic symbols and a number of angelic figures. Handsomely carved screens in Carrara marble divide the main sanctuary from the two side chapels of the Blessed Virgin and St. Joseph. The large cluster of columns are of polished stone - Newry grey and Balmoral Red, these stones are Finnish imports. The coloured mosaic sanctuary floor, in floral design, carries in the centre infront of the High Altar the Coat of Arms of Bishop O'Neill. Overhead hangs the sanctuary lamp executed in Sterling Silver, a present from Mr & Mrs John J. McArevey, Newry.

= Sacred Heart Shrine =
This notable shrine is enclosed by marble altar rails. It was erected by the Sacred Heart Confraternity in memory of Fr. James Carlin who was its Spiritual Director. Over the altar is a gilded shrine portraying Christ revealing the sorrows of his Sacred Heart to Saint Margaret Mary.

The altar is in Carrara marble with the reredos being Rosso Corallo with additions of Verde Serpentino and Sienna marble. Over the altar is a gilded shrine portraying Christ revealing the sorrows of His Sacred Heart to St. Margaret Mary. on either side of the reredos is a small panel depicting seraphim.

Above the altar the stain glass window, which was formerly in the centre of the sanctuary over the former High Altar was first erected in 1880 by the Holy Family Confraternity in memory of Fr. Pacificus C.P. the founder of the Confraternity. the window shows scenes on the life of the Holy Family, Our Lady, Jesus and Joseph at work. In the lower lights the Presentation in the Temple, Flight into Egypt and the Finding of Jesus in the Temple
On Tuesday 14th April 1925 at 10.00am Bishop Edward Mulhern Consecrated the Sacred Heart Shrine which was built into a niche in the North Transept. It was the third altar to be consecrated in the Cathedral in preparation for the Consecration of the Cathedral itself in the summer of 1925. Fr Carlin in conjunction with the then Bishop of Dromore Dr. O'Neill planned the improvement scheme that has made the Cathedral one of the finest in Catholic Ireland. As part of the ceremony the Relics of Saints Prosper and Cyparius (which were brought by Bishop Mulhern from Rome) were brought in procession from the Lady Chapel Altar while the Office of Matins and Lauds from the Office of Martyrs was recited.

= The Lady Chapel =
The Chapel of the Blessed Virgin is located to the left of the main Sanctuary displays the same ornate decoration in marbles and mosaics. A number of invocations from the Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary, all worked in mosaics with accompanying symbols mainly in gold, are seen on the wall around the altar. The altar itself, in Carrara marble generally, carries columns in Sienna and Rosso Corallo, with small panels in Levanto Red. The tabernacle door has a gold finish and above stands a marble statue Our Lady of Lourdes. The two small panels in the marble reredos present the Annunciation and the Coronation of the Virgin. The stained glass window over the altar shows The Virgin Mary with the Child Jesus. The Virgin's parents, St. Joachim and St. Anne are shown in mosaics on either side. The sanctuary lamp in this chapel was presented by the Children on Mary Sodality, on the occasion of the Consecration in 1925. To the Left of the altar is a stained glass window showing Christ blessing the Little Children.

= Saint Joseph's Chapel =
Saint Joseph's Chapel to the right of the main sanctuary shows a similar artistic finish in mosaics and marbles to the Lady Chapel. The altar is mainly in Carrara marble relieved by columns in Sienna and Porta Santa. A gilt door, centred by red onyx columns encloses the tabernacle over which stands a marble statue of St. Joseph. In the Marble reredos to the left, is a panel showing the espousal of St. Joseph to the Virgin Mary, and on the right a similar panel depicting the Holy Family in their Nazareth workshop. The Sanctuary wall carries a number of invocations to St. Joseph set in gold mosaics. The stained glass window over the altar shows the figures of St. Joseph and the infant Jesus in the centre panel. St. Patrick and St. Brigid in mosaics appear to the left and the right respectively. The altar in this chapel was the gift of the Holy Family Confraternity in 1908, and the sanctuary lamp in front of the altar was presented Mr James Fleming, Newry, in 1925.

= The Cathedral Reliquary =

The Cathedral Reliquary contains over 200 Relics of the Saints. it was described in "''The Christian Family Magazine''" as "Irelands Most Precious Reliquary" this beautiful shrine is exposed for veneration each year during the octave of the Feast of All Saints. in this vast collection may be seen the Relic of the True Cross, two sets of relics belonging to the Apostles and relics of all noted Irish Saints including St. Patrick, St. Brigid, St. Columkille, St. Columbanus, St. Virgilius, St. Gall, St. Laurence O'Toole, St. Oliver Plunket. Many other Saints of the Catholic Church are also included - Popes, Confessors, Martyrs, Pontiffs, Doctors and Holy Women. Some of these are shown in artistic mountings, others are enclosed in handsomely wrought cases or miniature replicas of famous historic shrines. All were collected by Bishop Mulhern who arranged the setting and layout of the reliquary. The handsome folding oak casement of the shrine was designed and executed by Mr J.H. McAteer, Newry. Together with all the relics enclosed, it was presented to the Cathedral in 1925 by Bishop Mulhern on the occasion of its Consecration.

= The Cathedral Organ =
The present organ is located above the vestibule at the Great West Door. it was built by Messrs. Telford & Telford of Dublin in 1910. This tubular, pneumatic, triple-manual organ was the gift of the people of the Diocese following the completion of the Cathedral in 1909. Half the cost, however, was obtained by the Carnegie grants by Canon O'Hare, P.P., Banbridge, during his U.S.A. campaign for funds towards the Cathedral. Originally the organ was arranged along the back of the choir gallery, but shortly after the arrival of Mons. Jozef Delafaille, L.L.I., as organist in 1929, the organ was re-built and electrified: the pipes were redistributed on either side, thus leaving more space in the gallery and at the same time brightening up the rear of the church by making visible from the interior the large window in the Cathedral facade.

= Cathedral Clergy =
As of September 2022, Newry Cathedral is served by the following clergy:

Parish priest – Apostolic Administrator of Dromore, Most Reverend Eamon Martin

Administrator – Canon Francis Brown

Curates – Fr Alphonsus Chukwunenye msp. Fr Callum Young. Fr Wojciech Stachyra SChr.

Deacon - Reverend Carlos Esteban Rojo

= Liturgy in the Cathedral =

Mass is celebrated every day in the cathedral:

* Sunday Masses are: Vigil (Saturday) 6.00pm; 9am, 1030am (Polish), 12am & 5.30pm.

* Weekday Masses are at 10.30am.

Other sacraments and liturgies:

* Confessions are at 11.00am -12.00pm on Saturdays in the Lady Chapel.

* Adoration of the Most Blessed Sacrament takes place Monday – Friday from 9.00am – 10.30am. Saturday from 11.00am – 5.30pm. Sundays from 13.00pm – 5.00pm.

* As the diocesan Cathedral, it hosts major celebrations in the local Church calendar such as the Chrism Mass on Holy Thursday.

= Past Administrators =

* Fr Thomas Cranny –? - 1793
* Fr Patrick MacCartan -? – 1877
* Fr Michael McConville – 1887 – 1888
* Fr Thomas Gallery – 1888 – 1891
* Fr James Carlin – 1891 – 1906
* Fr John Rooney – 1906 – 1907
* Fr Joseph Doyle – 1907 – 1914
* Fr Daniel Grant – 1914 – 1923
* Fr Francis J O’Hare – 1923 – 1923
* Fr James Fitzpatrick – 1923 – 1932
* Fr John Magee – 1932 – 1934
* Fr Edward James MacAteer – 1934 – 1937
* Fr Patrick Francis MacComiskey – 1937 – 1950
* Fr Edward Campbell – 1950 – 1955
* Fr James Boyd – 1955 – 1957
* Fr James Burke – 1957 – 1960
* Fr Hugh Esler – 1960 – 1961
* Fr Jack Lynch 1961 – 1970
* Dean Edward Hamill – 1971 – 1981
* Monsignor Arthur Byrne – 1981 – 1987
* Monsignor Arthur Bradley – 1987 – 1992
* Canon John Kearney – 1992 – 1998
* Monsignor Aidan Hamill 1998 – 2003
* Fr Terence Rafferty – 2003 – 2010
* Canon Francis Brown – 2010 – Present

= Gallery =

See also

*List of cathedrals in Ireland

References

External links

''This article incorporates text from the entry
Diocese of Dromore
in the public-domain Catholic Encyclopedia of 1909.''

Dromore Cathedral homepage

{{Roman Catholic Cathedrals in Ireland

Roman Catholic churches completed in 1829
19th-century Roman Catholic church buildings in the United Kingdom
Roman Catholic Diocese of Dromore
Roman Catholic cathedrals in Northern Ireland
Newry
Churches in County Down
Grade A listed buildings
Gothic Revival church buildings in Northern Ireland