St. John's Cathedral (Irish: Ardeaglais Eoin) is a Roman Catholiccathedral 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.
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.[1] The Bishop's throne or cathedra was produced in Munich in 1894,[2] and has since been removed.[3]
Architectureedit
Hardwick was influenced by his time under Augustus Pugin, which can be seen in the Gothic Revivalist 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.[1] The tower was believed to be one of the tallest in Ireland when it was completed.[3]
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.[3]
Between 1893 and 1894, the interior was renovated by Bishop Edward Thomas O'Dwyer which included a reordering of the sanctuary inspired by St Chad's Cathedral, Birmingham. This work was undertaken by Walter Doolin and Messrs Ryan, Limerick.[1] The interior was again amended to take account changes relating to Vatican II.[3]
The altar is constructed using Limerick marble and features a carving depicting the sacrifice of Abraham.[2]
Restorationedit
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, being Anglican. 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.[4]
^ abcd"1861 – St John's Cathedral, Limerick". Archiseek - Irish Architecture. 11 November 2009. Retrieved 12 November 2020.
^Jacques, Alan (10 July 2014). "St John's Cathedral in Limerick is cut down to size". Limerick Post Newspaper. Retrieved 5 November 2020.
External linksedit
Wikimedia Commons has media related to St. John's Cathedral, Limerick.
St John's Cathedral from Limerick Diocese website
Website in memory of the Hardwicks
St. John's Cathedral History From Limerick's Life
April 07, 2024
john, cathedral, limerick, john, cathedral, irish, ardeaglais, eoin, roman, catholic, cathedral, limerick, ireland, designed, architect, philip, charles, hardwick, ground, broken, 1857, first, mass, celebrated, march, 1859, replaced, chapel, founded, 1753, joh. St John s Cathedral Irish 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 CathedralArdeaglais EoinSt John s CathedralLocation in Ireland52 39 45 N 8 37 00 W 52 66250 N 8 61667 W 52 66250 8 61667LocationCathedral Place Limerick IrelandDenominationRoman CatholicHistoryStatusCathedralConsecratedJune 1894ArchitectureStyleGothic revivalYears built1856 1882Groundbreaking1 May 1856Completed1882SpecificationsTower height81 m 266 ft Materialslimestone AdministrationProvinceCashel and EmlyDioceseLimerickParishCathedralStone commemorating the construction and restorations of the cathedral Contents 1 History 2 Architecture 3 Restoration 4 See also 5 References 6 External linksHistory editBetween 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 1 The Bishop s throne or cathedra was produced in Munich in 1894 2 and has since been removed 3 Architecture editHardwick was influenced by his time under Augustus Pugin which can be seen in the Gothic Revivalist 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 1 The tower was believed to be one of the tallest in Ireland when it was completed 3 The overall architecture has been described as severe with minimal external decoration and small windows There is just one statue featured on the facade In comparison the tower and spire have more decorative adornments 3 Between 1893 and 1894 the interior was renovated by Bishop Edward Thomas O Dwyer which included a reordering of the sanctuary inspired by St Chad s Cathedral Birmingham This work was undertaken by Walter Doolin and Messrs Ryan Limerick 1 The interior was again amended to take account changes relating to Vatican II 3 The altar is constructed using Limerick marble and features a carving depicting the sacrifice of Abraham 2 Restoration editThe 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 being Anglican 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 4 See also editList of tallest churches List of tallest structures in IrelandReferences edit a b c Saint John s Roman Catholic Cathedral Cathedral Place Garryowen Road Limerick Limerick City National Inventory of Architectural Heritage Retrieved 12 November 2020 a b St John s Cathedral Limerick ie www limerick ie Retrieved 12 November 2020 a b c d 1861 St John s Cathedral Limerick Archiseek Irish Architecture 11 November 2009 Retrieved 12 November 2020 Jacques Alan 10 July 2014 St John s Cathedral in Limerick is cut down to size Limerick Post Newspaper Retrieved 5 November 2020 External links edit nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to St John s Cathedral Limerick St John s Cathedral from Limerick Diocese website Website in memory of the Hardwicks St John s Cathedral History From Limerick s Life Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title St John 27s Cathedral Limerick amp oldid 1148558954, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
