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St. John's Cathedral ( ga, Ardeaglais Eoin) is a Roman Catholic cathedral in Limerick, Ireland. Designed by the architect Philip Charles Hardwick, ground was broken in 1857 and the first Mass celebrated on 7 March 1859. It replaced a chapel founded in 1753.
St John's Cathedral
from Limerick Diocese website
Website in memory of the HardwicksSt. John's Cathedral History
From Limerick's Life {{Authority control John's Cathedral, Limerick Roman Catholic cathedrals in the Republic of Ireland Roman Catholic Diocese of Limerick Religious buildings and structures in County Limerick Buildings and structures in Limerick (city) 1861 establishments in Ireland Roman Catholic churches completed in 1882 19th-century Roman Catholic church buildings in Ireland
St. John's Cathedral ( ga, Ardeaglais Eoin) is a Roman Catholic cathedral in Limerick, Ireland. Designed by the architect Philip Charles Hardwick, ground was broken in 1857 and the first Mass celebrated on 7 March 1859. It replaced a chapel founded in 1753.
History
Between 1855 and 1861, the English architect Philip Charles Hardwick was commissioned to design the cathedral. At the time he was engaged in some work on Adare Manor. On 1 May 1856 the foundation stone was laid, and the building was consecrated in 1859 but remained unfinished until July 1861. The building of the original structure was undertaken by Patrick Kenna, Glentworh Street. Thomas Byrne undertook the later construction of the tower and spire from 1879. Construction of the tower was delayed by storm damage in September 1882. Following interior renovations, on 21 June 1894 the cathedral was consecrated by Cardinal Logue. A large portion of the original pews, memorials, confessionals, and floor tiles survive. The Bishop's throne orcathedra
A ''cathedra'' is the raised throne of a bishop in the early Christian basilica. When used with this meaning, it may also be called the bishop's throne. With time, the related term ''cathedral'' became synonymous with the "seat", or principa ...
was produced in Munich in 1894, and has since been removed.
Architecture
Hardwick was influenced by his time under Augustus Pugin, which can be seen in theGothic Revivalist
Gothic Revival (also referred to as Victorian Gothic, neo-Gothic, or Gothick) is an architectural movement that began in the late 1740s in England. The movement gained momentum and expanded in the first half of the 19th century, as increasingly ...
style of the cathedral. M.A. Hennessy adapted Hardwick's sketches for the tower, which was constructed between 1879 and 1883, with Hennessy adding 105 feet to the original design. The building is faced using local limestone. The tower was believed to be one of the tallest in Ireland when it was completed.
The overall architecture has been described as "severe" with minimal external decoration, and small windows. There is just one statue featured on the façade. In comparison the tower and spire have more decorative adornments.
Between 1893 and 1894, the interior was renovated by Bishop Edward Thomas O'Dwyer
Edward Thomas O'Dwyer (22 January 1842 – 19 August 1917) was the Roman Catholic Bishop of Limerick from 1886 until his death.
O'Dwyer was born in Lattin, County Tipperary, the only son of John Keating O'Dwyer. The family moved to Limerick sho ...
which included a reordering of the sanctuary inspired by St Chad's Cathedral, Birmingham
The Metropolitan Cathedral Church and Basilica of Saint Chad is a Catholic cathedral in Birmingham, England. It is the mother church of the Archdiocese of Birmingham and is dedicated to Saint Chad of Mercia.
Designed by Augustus Welby Pugin and ...
. This work was undertaken by Walter Doolin and Messrs Ryan, Limerick. The interior was again amended to take account changes relating to Vatican II.
The altar is constructed using Limerick marble and features a carving depicting the sacrifice of Abraham.
Restoration
The most recent restoration work carried out was in 2003/2004 on the roof and exterior stonework. It is a Roman Catholic cathedral, the city's original cathedral, St. Mary's Cathedral, beingAnglican
Anglicanism is a Western Christian tradition that has developed from the practices, liturgy, and identity of the Church of England following the English Reformation, in the context of the Protestant Reformation in Europe. It is one of th ...
. The building was claimed to have the tallest spire in Ireland at 94 m (308 ft), but a modern measurement showed it is only 81 m (266 ft), shorter than St. Colman's Cathedral, Cobh.
See also
* List of tallest churches * List of tallest structures in IrelandReferences
External links
St John's Cathedral
from Limerick Diocese website
Website in memory of the Hardwicks
From Limerick's Life {{Authority control John's Cathedral, Limerick Roman Catholic cathedrals in the Republic of Ireland Roman Catholic Diocese of Limerick Religious buildings and structures in County Limerick Buildings and structures in Limerick (city) 1861 establishments in Ireland Roman Catholic churches completed in 1882 19th-century Roman Catholic church buildings in Ireland