Photos: St. Mary's Cathedral August 2006

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File contributed by: Kathleen Mammoser kayb48@yahoo.com October 7,
2009, 7:39 pm

PHOTOS: ST. MARY'S CATHEDRAL AUGUST 2006

Saint Mary's was designed by William Deane Butler
(c.1794-1857). He was chosen by Bishop William
Kinsella (1793-1845) who instigated the building of St.
Mary's in February 1842. Work began in April 1843 and
finished in 1857, it is worth noting that this included
the period of the Irish famine. On Sunday the 4th
October 1857, St. Mary's had its grand opening, which
consisted of a two and three quarter hour ceremony
that began at 6.15 am. The cost of the building is
estimated to have been ?25,000.

St. Mary's is made from cut-limestone which was
sourced locally. The cathedral has a cruciform plan and
its style is described as 'Early English Gothic'. The design
is believed to have been based on Gloucester Cathedral
in Gloucester, England. It is situated on the highest
point in Kilkenny City and is a significant local landmark.

The cathedral actually has three names - St Mary's, the
church of St Kieran and the Cathedral of the
Assumption.

St. Mary's has a noted sculpture of the Madonna by
Giovanni Maria Benzoni (1809-1873). (From Wikipedia)