Religious Buildings in and near Cashel

One of Ireland's most significant groups of religious buildings is in Cashel. The Rock of Cashel has incredible religious buildings amongst its ancient structures. The Cathedral is a towering Gothic structure, while Cormac's Chapel is a small Romanesque church. The location of the Rock of Cashel's religious buildings is significant, as it was here that St Patrick converted the local King Aenghus to the Christian religion in the 5th century.

St Peter the Rock Cathedral

The Rock cathedral was closed for worship in 1721. Meanwhile the old parish Church of St John was removed and the present Gregorian Cathedral completed in 1784. Its famous Samuel Green organ was built in 1786. ... more

Ireland's beautiful and fascinating religious buildings are historically significant as well as being places of worship. While providing expressions of spirituality, they also reveal much of the country's culture and history.

Dublin boasts two magnificent medieval cathedrals, one inside and one outside the city walls. St. Patrick's is the National Cathedral for Ireland and is the site where St Patrick baptised the first local converts beside a “Holy Well”. Although a church has stood on the grounds since St Patrick's time, the current structure was built in 1191 and was rebuilt in the 19th century, financed by the Guinness family.

Dublin's other cathedral is Christ Church, built in the 12th century on the remains of an earlier Viking church. The church is a beautiful structure, with many original medieval parts still intact. Christ Church houses some fascinating artefacts, including the heart of Saint Laurence O'Toole (who helped to build the church) and the tomb of the Norman lord Strongbow. A highlight is the building's rare undercroft, a crypt that contains interesting exhibits and the Cathedral's most exquisite treasures.

Knock Parish Church in County Mayo became world-famous after 1879, when 15 people witnessed the apparitions of the Virgin Mary, St Joseph and St John the Evangelist appear in the church's south gable. Since then, countless pilgrims have come to the spot to pay their respects and pray at the shrine, including Pope John Paul II and Mother Theresa. The shrine complex is extensive, and includes beautiful gardens.

St Columb's Cathedral in Derry is the city's oldest building, completed in 1633, and is a landmark on the famous Derry Walls. The Cathedral is known for its superb stain glass which depicts the life of its patron saint, as well as scenes from the great siege of Derry in 1688. You can also see the original keys of the city of the Derry in the Cathedral's chapter house.

St Anne's Cathedral in Belfast also known as Belfast Cathedral, was established in 1898 on the site of an older parish church. The cathedral was built in five stages through the 20th century. The West Front features Ireland's largest Celtic cross and was built in 1927 as a memorial to First World War soldiers. The Anglican Cathedral has had many additions through the years, the latest being a stainless steel 'Spire of Hope' that rises 100m from the top of the cathedral and is illuminated at night.