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St Patrick's Cathedral, Armagh (Church of Ireland)

October 26, 2023

St Patrick's Cathedral, Armagh (Irish: Ardeaglais Phádraig, Ard Mhacha) is a Church of Ireland cathedral in Armagh, Northern Ireland. It is the seat of the Anglican Archbishop of Armagh and Diocese of Armagh.[1] The origins of the site are as a 5th century Irish stone monastery, said to have been founded by St. Patrick. Throughout the Middle Ages, the cathedral was the seat of the Catholic Archbishop of Armagh, head of the Catholic Church in Ireland, and one of the most important churches in Gaelic Ireland. With the 16th-century Protestant Reformation, the cathedral was taken over by the Church of Ireland, with Englishman, George Cromer, becoming the first Anglican archbishop.

The Cathedral Church of St Patrick, Armagh
Cathedral of the Diocese of Armagh and Metropolitan Cathedral of the United Provinces of Armagh and Tuam
The Cathedral Church of St Patrick, Armagh
54°20′52″N 6°39′22″W / 54.3478°N 6.6562°W / 54.3478; -6.6562
CountryNorthern Ireland
DenominationChurch of Ireland
Previous denominationRoman Catholic
Websitewww.stpatricks-cathedral.org
History
FoundedAD 445
Founder(s)Saint Patrick
DedicationSaint Patrick
ConsecratedAD 445
Administration
ProvinceProvince of Armagh
DioceseDiocese of Armagh
Clergy
ArchbishopThe Most Reverend John McDowell
DeanThe Very Reverend Shane Forster
PrecentorThe Reverend Canon Norman Porteus
ChancellorThe Reverend Canon Drew Dawson
ArchdeaconThe Venerable Terry Scott (Archdeacon of Armagh)
Laity
Organist(s)Stephen Timpany
TreasurerThe Reverend Canon Bill Adair
St Patrick's Cathedral sign, November 2009

Following Catholic emancipation in the 19th century, a new Catholic cathedral was built in Armagh, also called St Patrick's Cathedral.

History edit

Early history of the site edit

The cathedral was historically the ecclesiastical capital of the Roman Catholic Church in Ireland. According to tradition, a church was founded on the site in 445 by Saint Patrick.[2] Evidence suggests that the hilltop was originally a pagan sanctuary.[3]

By the 7th century, it had become the most important monastery and monastic school in the north of Ireland,[4] and monastic settlement grew up around it.

Brian Boru, High King of Ireland, visited Armagh in 1004, acknowledging it as the head cathedral of Ireland and bestowing it a large sum of gold. Brian was buried at Armagh cathedral after his death at the Battle of Clontarf in 1014.[5] Armagh's claim to the primacy of Ireland was formally acknowledged at the Synod of Ráth Breasail in 1111.[4]

The church itself was partially destroyed and rebuilt 17 times. It was renovated and restored under Dean Eoghan McCawell (1505–1549), having suffered from a devastating fire in 1511 and being in poor shape. Soon after his death the cathedral was described by Lord Chancellor Cusack as "one of the fairest and best churches in Ireland".[6] However, by the end of the Nine Years' War in 1603, Armagh lay in ruins.[4]

The cathedral and its assets were appropriated by the new state church, called the Church of Ireland, as part of the Protestant Reformation. The English government under King Henry VIII of England transferred the assets. It has remained in Anglican hands since the reign of Queen Elizabeth I of England.[citation needed]

Modern history edit

Following the Nine Years' War, Armagh came under English control and the town began to be settled by Protestants from Britain, as part of the Plantation of Ulster. During the Irish Rebellion of 1641, many Protestant settlers fled to Armagh cathedral for safety. After negotiations with the besieged settlers, Catholic rebels occupied the town until May 1642.[7]

The cathedral was substantially rebuilt between 1834 and 1840 by Archbishop Lord John George Beresford and the architect Lewis Nockalls Cottingham. The fabric remains that of the mediaeval building but much restored. While Cottingham was heavy-handed in his restoration, the researches of T. G. F. Patterson and Janet Myles in the late twentieth century have shown the restoration to have been notably antiquarian for its time. The tracery of the nave windows in particular are careful restorations as is the copy of the font. The capital decoration of the two westernmost pillars of the nave (either side of the West Door internal porch) are mediaeval as are the bulk of the external gargoyle carvings (some resited) of the parapet of the Eastern Arm. Cottingham's intention of retaining the richly cusped West Door with flanking canopied niches was over-ruled. Subsequent restorations have more radically altered the internal proportions of the mediaeval building, proportions which Cottingham had retained.

Many other Celtic and mediaeval carvings are to be seen within the cathedral which is also rich in eighteenth- and nineteenth-century sculpture. There are works by Francis Leggatt Chantrey, Louis-François Roubiliac, John Michael Rysbrack, Carlo Marochetti and others.

The Choral Foundation, dating from the Culdees, and refounded as the Royal College of King Charles of Vicars Choral and Organist in the cathedral of Armagh, continues to the present. There are generally a dozen Gentlemen of the Lay Vicars Choral and sixteen boy choristers.

The Maundy Money was distributed at the cathedral in 2008: a plaque in the south aisle commemorates this event.[8]

Notable burials edit

Organists edit

  • 1634 Richard Galway
  • 1661 John Hawkshaw
  • 1695 Robert Hodge
  • 1711 William Toole
  • 1722 Samuel Bettridge
  • 1752 John Woffington
  • 1759 Robert Barnes
  • 1776 Langrishe Doyle
  • 1782 Richard Langdon
  • 1794 John Clarke Whitfield
  • 1797 John Jones
  • 1816 Frederick Horncastle
  • 1823 Robert Turle
  • 1872 Thomas Marks
  • 1917 G. H. P. Hewson
  • 1920 Edred Chaundy
  • 1935 Reginald West
  • 1951 Frederick Carter
  • 1966 Christopher Phelps
  • 1968 Martin White
  • 2002–2015 Theo Saunders
  • 2015–present Stephen Timpany

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ "Funerary Monuments & Memorials in St Patrick's Cathedral, Armagh" Curl, J.S: Whitstable; Historical Publications; 2013 ISBN 978-1-905286-48-5
  2. ^ "The Cathedrals of the Church of Ireland" Day, J.G.F./ Patton, H.E. p21: London, S.P.C.K., 1932
  3. ^ Koch, John T. Celtic Culture: A Historical Encyclopedia. ABC-CLIO, 2006. p.80
  4. ^ a b c Duffy, Seán. Medieval Ireland: An Encyclopedia. Routledge, 2005. pp.48-50
  5. ^ Llywelyn, Morgan. 1014: Brian Boru & the Battle for Ireland. Courier Dover, 2020. pp.97, 240
  6. ^ The Church Among Two Nations. Published in Early Modern History (1500–1700), Features, Issue 1 (Spring 1998), Medieval History (pre-1500), Volume 6 http://www.historyireland.com/early-modern-history-1500-1700/the-church-among-two-nations/
  7. ^ Annaleigh Margey, Eamon Darcy, Elaine Murphy (editors). The 1641 Depositions and the Irish Rebellion. Routledge, 2015. p.92
  8. ^ "Funary Monuments & Memorials in St Patrick's Cathedral, Armagh" Curl, J.S. p76: Whitstable; Historical Publications; 2013 ISBN 978-1-905286-48-5

External links edit

 
Wikimedia Commons has media related to St Patrick's (COI) Cathedral, Armagh.
  • Official website
  • Details of the organ from the National Pipe Organ Register

October 26, 2023
patrick, cathedral, armagh, church, ireland, patrick, cathedral, armagh, irish, ardeaglais, phádraig, mhacha, church, ireland, cathedral, armagh, northern, ireland, seat, anglican, archbishop, armagh, diocese, armagh, origins, site, century, irish, stone, mona. St Patrick s Cathedral Armagh Irish Ardeaglais Phadraig Ard Mhacha is a Church of Ireland cathedral in Armagh Northern Ireland It is the seat of the Anglican Archbishop of Armagh and Diocese of Armagh 1 The origins of the site are as a 5th century Irish stone monastery said to have been founded by St Patrick Throughout the Middle Ages the cathedral was the seat of the Catholic Archbishop of Armagh head of the Catholic Church in Ireland and one of the most important churches in Gaelic Ireland With the 16th century Protestant Reformation the cathedral was taken over by the Church of Ireland with Englishman George Cromer becoming the first Anglican archbishop The Cathedral Church of St Patrick ArmaghCathedral of the Diocese of Armagh and Metropolitan Cathedral of the United Provinces of Armagh and TuamThe Cathedral Church of St Patrick Armagh54 20 52 N 6 39 22 W 54 3478 N 6 6562 W 54 3478 6 6562CountryNorthern IrelandDenominationChurch of IrelandPrevious denominationRoman CatholicWebsitewww stpatricks cathedral orgHistoryFoundedAD 445Founder s Saint PatrickDedicationSaint PatrickConsecratedAD 445AdministrationProvinceProvince of ArmaghDioceseDiocese of ArmaghClergyArchbishopThe Most Reverend John McDowellDeanThe Very Reverend Shane ForsterPrecentorThe Reverend Canon Norman PorteusChancellorThe Reverend Canon Drew DawsonArchdeaconThe Venerable Terry Scott Archdeacon of Armagh LaityOrganist s Stephen TimpanyTreasurerThe Reverend Canon Bill AdairSt Patrick s Cathedral sign November 2009Following Catholic emancipation in the 19th century a new Catholic cathedral was built in Armagh also called St Patrick s Cathedral Contents 1 History 1 1 Early history of the site 1 2 Modern history 2 Notable burials 3 Organists 4 See also 5 References 6 External linksHistory editEarly history of the site edit The cathedral was historically the ecclesiastical capital of the Roman Catholic Church in Ireland According to tradition a church was founded on the site in 445 by Saint Patrick 2 Evidence suggests that the hilltop was originally a pagan sanctuary 3 By the 7th century it had become the most important monastery and monastic school in the north of Ireland 4 and monastic settlement grew up around it Brian Boru High King of Ireland visited Armagh in 1004 acknowledging it as the head cathedral of Ireland and bestowing it a large sum of gold Brian was buried at Armagh cathedral after his death at the Battle of Clontarf in 1014 5 Armagh s claim to the primacy of Ireland was formally acknowledged at the Synod of Rath Breasail in 1111 4 The church itself was partially destroyed and rebuilt 17 times It was renovated and restored under Dean Eoghan McCawell 1505 1549 having suffered from a devastating fire in 1511 and being in poor shape Soon after his death the cathedral was described by Lord Chancellor Cusack as one of the fairest and best churches in Ireland 6 However by the end of the Nine Years War in 1603 Armagh lay in ruins 4 The cathedral and its assets were appropriated by the new state church called the Church of Ireland as part of the Protestant Reformation The English government under King Henry VIII of England transferred the assets It has remained in Anglican hands since the reign of Queen Elizabeth I of England citation needed Modern history edit Following the Nine Years War Armagh came under English control and the town began to be settled by Protestants from Britain as part of the Plantation of Ulster During the Irish Rebellion of 1641 many Protestant settlers fled to Armagh cathedral for safety After negotiations with the besieged settlers Catholic rebels occupied the town until May 1642 7 The cathedral was substantially rebuilt between 1834 and 1840 by Archbishop Lord John George Beresford and the architect Lewis Nockalls Cottingham The fabric remains that of the mediaeval building but much restored While Cottingham was heavy handed in his restoration the researches of T G F Patterson and Janet Myles in the late twentieth century have shown the restoration to have been notably antiquarian for its time The tracery of the nave windows in particular are careful restorations as is the copy of the font The capital decoration of the two westernmost pillars of the nave either side of the West Door internal porch are mediaeval as are the bulk of the external gargoyle carvings some resited of the parapet of the Eastern Arm Cottingham s intention of retaining the richly cusped West Door with flanking canopied niches was over ruled Subsequent restorations have more radically altered the internal proportions of the mediaeval building proportions which Cottingham had retained Many other Celtic and mediaeval carvings are to be seen within the cathedral which is also rich in eighteenth and nineteenth century sculpture There are works by Francis Leggatt Chantrey Louis Francois Roubiliac John Michael Rysbrack Carlo Marochetti and others The Choral Foundation dating from the Culdees and refounded as the Royal College of King Charles of Vicars Choral and Organist in the cathedral of Armagh continues to the present There are generally a dozen Gentlemen of the Lay Vicars Choral and sixteen boy choristers The Maundy Money was distributed at the cathedral in 2008 a plaque in the south aisle commemorates this event 8 Notable burials editBrian Boru c 942 1014 High King of Ireland Saint Ethnea baptised by St Patrick died around 433 A D her Feast Day is 11 January Marcus Gervais Beresford 1801 1885 Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland appointed 1862 Cousin of Lord John Beresford Charles Frederick D Arcy 1859 1938 Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland Lord John Beresford 1773 1862 Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland John Baptist Crozier and his wife Alice IsabellaOrganists edit1634 Richard Galway 1661 John Hawkshaw 1695 Robert Hodge 1711 William Toole 1722 Samuel Bettridge 1752 John Woffington 1759 Robert Barnes 1776 Langrishe Doyle 1782 Richard Langdon 1794 John Clarke Whitfield 1797 John Jones 1816 Frederick Horncastle 1823 Robert Turle 1872 Thomas Marks 1917 G H P Hewson 1920 Edred Chaundy 1935 Reginald West 1951 Frederick Carter 1966 Christopher Phelps 1968 Martin White 2002 2015 Theo Saunders 2015 present Stephen TimpanySee also edit nbsp Christianity portalDean of Armagh a list of deans List of cathedrals in Ireland St Patrick s Cathedral Armagh Roman Catholic References edit Funerary Monuments amp Memorials in St Patrick s Cathedral Armagh Curl J S Whitstable Historical Publications 2013 ISBN 978 1 905286 48 5 The Cathedrals of the Church of Ireland Day J G F Patton H E p21 London S P C K 1932 Koch John T Celtic Culture A Historical Encyclopedia ABC CLIO 2006 p 80 a b c Duffy Sean Medieval Ireland An Encyclopedia Routledge 2005 pp 48 50 Llywelyn Morgan 1014 Brian Boru amp the Battle for Ireland Courier Dover 2020 pp 97 240 The Church Among Two Nations Published in Early Modern History 1500 1700 Features Issue 1 Spring 1998 Medieval History pre 1500 Volume 6 http www historyireland com early modern history 1500 1700 the church among two nations Annaleigh Margey Eamon Darcy Elaine Murphy editors The 1641 Depositions and the Irish Rebellion Routledge 2015 p 92 Funary Monuments amp Memorials in St Patrick s Cathedral Armagh Curl J S p76 Whitstable Historical Publications 2013 ISBN 978 1 905286 48 5External links edit nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to St Patrick s COI Cathedral Armagh Official website Details of the organ from the National Pipe Organ Register Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title St Patrick 27s Cathedral Armagh Church of Ireland amp oldid 1175778709, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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