St. Mary's Cathedral, Kilkenny
Saint Mary's Cathedral stands as the cathedral church of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Ossory, playing a central role in the city's religious and architectural heritage.
Designed by William Deane Butler (c.1794-1857), the cathedral's construction was initiated by Bishop William Kinsella (1793-1845) in February 1842. Building commenced in April 1843 and reached completion in 1857. The grand opening of Saint Mary's took place on Sunday, October 4, 1857, with a significant ceremony lasting two and three-quarter hours, beginning at 6:15 am. The estimated cost of constructing the cathedral was £25,000.
Crafted from locally sourced cut limestone, Saint Mary's Cathedral features a cruciform plan and is stylistically categorized as 'Early English Gothic.' The design is believed to have drawn inspiration from Gloucester Cathedral in Gloucester, England. Strategically situated atop the highest point in Kilkenny City, the cathedral stands as a prominent local landmark, adding to the city's distinctive skyline.
The steeple of Saint Mary's houses a bell crafted by John Murphy, a Dublin foundry, contributing to the cathedral's auditory presence in the city. Among its notable artistic features is a sculpture of the Madonna created by Giovanni Maria Benzoni (1809-1873), adding a touch of elegance and religious significance to the cathedral's interior.
Designed by William Deane Butler (c.1794-1857), the cathedral's construction was initiated by Bishop William Kinsella (1793-1845) in February 1842. Building commenced in April 1843 and reached completion in 1857. The grand opening of Saint Mary's took place on Sunday, October 4, 1857, with a significant ceremony lasting two and three-quarter hours, beginning at 6:15 am. The estimated cost of constructing the cathedral was £25,000.
Crafted from locally sourced cut limestone, Saint Mary's Cathedral features a cruciform plan and is stylistically categorized as 'Early English Gothic.' The design is believed to have drawn inspiration from Gloucester Cathedral in Gloucester, England. Strategically situated atop the highest point in Kilkenny City, the cathedral stands as a prominent local landmark, adding to the city's distinctive skyline.
The steeple of Saint Mary's houses a bell crafted by John Murphy, a Dublin foundry, contributing to the cathedral's auditory presence in the city. Among its notable artistic features is a sculpture of the Madonna created by Giovanni Maria Benzoni (1809-1873), adding a touch of elegance and religious significance to the cathedral's interior.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Kilkenny. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "51±¬ÁÏÍø: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
St. Mary's Cathedral on Map
Sight Name: St. Mary's Cathedral
Sight Location: Kilkenny, Ireland (See walking tours in Kilkenny)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Kilkenny, Ireland (See walking tours in Kilkenny)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Kilkenny, Ireland
Create Your Own Walk in Kilkenny
Creating your own self-guided walk in Kilkenny is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Kilkenny Introduction Walking Tour
Situated some 90 minutes away from busy Dublin, the sleepy town of Kilkenny rests gracefully along the banks of the River Nore in the southeastern part of Ireland, exuding an ambiance of old-world charm.
The town's name is the anglicized version of the Irish "Cill Chainnigh," which means "Church of Canice." It pays homage to Saint Canice, an Ulsterman, a revered figure... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.4 Km or 1.5 Miles
The town's name is the anglicized version of the Irish "Cill Chainnigh," which means "Church of Canice." It pays homage to Saint Canice, an Ulsterman, a revered figure... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.4 Km or 1.5 Miles