Galway - The Cathedral of Our Lady Assumed into Heaven (46)A
Ireland, Galway - The Cathedral of Our Lady Assumed into Heaven and St. Nicholas
In historical terms The Cathedral is relatively young. Work started in 1958 on the site of an old prison and was complete by 1965. The President Eamon de Valera lit the light of the Sanctuary Candle. The Bishop of Galway, Bishop Michael Browne led four other Bishops to the altar and Cardinal Richard Cushing of Boston delivered the sermon.
There was a parish chapel built circa 1750 on Middle Street and in 1821 this was replaced by a limestone building which was dedicated to St Patrick. In 1831 the diocese of Galway was created and St Patrick’s became the Cathedral until 1965 when Our Lady and St Nicholas took over the mantle. St Patrick’s was then deconsecrated.
The architect was John J. Robinson and the architecture has many influences. There is Renaissance style to the pillars and domes. Christian themes echo throughout the building, windows and mosaics. Built almost completely with local limestone it is thought to be the final stone public building erected in Ireland.
The original organ was built by Rushworth and Dreaper of Liverpool in 1966. This was renovated between 2006-2007 by renowned Irish organ builder Trevor Crowe.
There are three spectacular windows inside the church. Three rose windows designed by George Campbell of Dublin and constructed by the Dublin Glass and Paint Co. They represent fifteen of the twenty mysteries of the Rosary. The other mystery is Why were the other five, (the luminous mysteries) omitted? I have, for some reason only photographed one of the windows: ‘The Glorious Mysteries’ They are:-
The Resurrection of Jesus Christ
The Ascension of Jesus to Heaven
The Descent of the Holy Ghost
The Assumption of Mary into Heaven
Mary is Crowned as Queen of Heaven and Earth
There are many other beautiful windows to see and interiors. Some are lit with a blue light which gives of a wondrous glow. An incredible site and experience.
However the Cathedral is not without controversy. Once called ‘a ghastly monstrosity’, ‘ugly’ and a ‘squatting Frankenstein’s Monster’. It shows you can’t please all the people all of the time, some of the time or just ever.
Galway - The Cathedral of Our Lady Assumed into Heaven (46)A
Ireland, Galway - The Cathedral of Our Lady Assumed into Heaven and St. Nicholas
In historical terms The Cathedral is relatively young. Work started in 1958 on the site of an old prison and was complete by 1965. The President Eamon de Valera lit the light of the Sanctuary Candle. The Bishop of Galway, Bishop Michael Browne led four other Bishops to the altar and Cardinal Richard Cushing of Boston delivered the sermon.
There was a parish chapel built circa 1750 on Middle Street and in 1821 this was replaced by a limestone building which was dedicated to St Patrick. In 1831 the diocese of Galway was created and St Patrick’s became the Cathedral until 1965 when Our Lady and St Nicholas took over the mantle. St Patrick’s was then deconsecrated.
The architect was John J. Robinson and the architecture has many influences. There is Renaissance style to the pillars and domes. Christian themes echo throughout the building, windows and mosaics. Built almost completely with local limestone it is thought to be the final stone public building erected in Ireland.
The original organ was built by Rushworth and Dreaper of Liverpool in 1966. This was renovated between 2006-2007 by renowned Irish organ builder Trevor Crowe.
There are three spectacular windows inside the church. Three rose windows designed by George Campbell of Dublin and constructed by the Dublin Glass and Paint Co. They represent fifteen of the twenty mysteries of the Rosary. The other mystery is Why were the other five, (the luminous mysteries) omitted? I have, for some reason only photographed one of the windows: ‘The Glorious Mysteries’ They are:-
The Resurrection of Jesus Christ
The Ascension of Jesus to Heaven
The Descent of the Holy Ghost
The Assumption of Mary into Heaven
Mary is Crowned as Queen of Heaven and Earth
There are many other beautiful windows to see and interiors. Some are lit with a blue light which gives of a wondrous glow. An incredible site and experience.
However the Cathedral is not without controversy. Once called ‘a ghastly monstrosity’, ‘ugly’ and a ‘squatting Frankenstein’s Monster’. It shows you can’t please all the people all of the time, some of the time or just ever.