This article lists the current and former cathedrals of the main Christian churches in Ireland. Since the main denominations are organised on an all-Ireland basis, this article includes information about both jurisdictions: Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

Overview

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It is a commonly held perception that the term 'cathedral' may be applied to any particularly large or grand church. Whilst many cathedrals may be such, this is due to their ecclesiastical status (such a church is grand because it is a cathedral, rather than it being a cathedral because of its grandeur). A cathedral may therefore be a smaller building, particularly where they exist in sparser or poorer communities. Modern cathedrals may lack the grandeur of former times, focussing on the functional aspect of a place of worship, though it should be borne in mind that many of the grand and ancient cathedrals of today were originally built to a much smaller plan, and have been successively extended and rebuilt over the centuries. Some cathedrals were purpose-built as such, whilst others were formerly parochial, or parish churches, subsequently promoted in status due to ecclesiastical requirements such as periodic diocesan reorganisation.

Essentially, a cathedral church is a Christian place of worship that is the chief, or 'mother' church of an episcopal see and is distinguished as such by being the location for the cathedra or bishop's seat. Strictly speaking therefore, only those Christian denominations with an Episcopal polity possess cathedrals. However, the label 'cathedral' remains in common parlance for notable churches which were formerly part of an episcopal denomination, such as may be the case with some Scottish churches which are now within the Presbyterian Church of Scotland (see List of cathedrals in Scotland). In addition, former cathedrals which may now be in a ruined state, retain their nominal status.

The following list comprises, for the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, all locations of a current cathedral church, or former cathedral church, as well as those locations where no trace remains of the structure, indeed where the precise location is no longer known.

Also included are those structures or sites of intended cathedrals as well as pro-cathedrals (churches serving as an interim cathedral), for instance, whilst a permanent cathedral is acquired, or (as a co-cathedral where the diocesan demographics/geography requires the bishop's seat to be shared with a building in an alternate location).

The inclusion of the entire island of Ireland is strictly for ecclesiastical reasons. Northern Ireland is represented because, although it politically comprises part of the United Kingdom, ecclesiastically the island comprises a single geographically based unit.

In the list which follows the cathedrals are listed by denomination and (where applicable) denominational hierarchy. Disused establishments are listed separately.

The geographical co-ordinates provided are sourced from details provided by Ordnance Survey Ireland.[1]

Terms not covered in the above preamble include translated, which is the move of a bishop's seat from one location to another, moving cathedral status from the former church and bestowing it on the destination church, such as may occur in a diocesan or provincial re-organisation.

Abbreviations and Key

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Listing of establishments

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Catholic Church

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Province of Armagh

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Establishment Image Dedication Established Notes/Provenance Location & Website
Armagh   St. Patrick 1870 Archdiocese of Armagh 54°21′08″N 6°39′37″W / 54.3522546°N 6.6603756°W / 54.3522546; -6.6603756 (Armagh Cathedral (RC))
Belfast   St. Peter 1866 Diocese of Down and Connor

Architects Jeremiah McAuley, a native Belfast priest and John O'Neill

54°35′57″N 5°56′40″W / 54.5990382°N 5.9444082°W / 54.5990382; -5.9444082 (Belfast Cathedral (RC))
Cavan   St. Patrick and St. Feidlim 1942 Diocese of Kilmore 53°59′54″N 7°21′40″W / 53.9984614°N 7.3610115°W / 53.9984614; -7.3610115 (Cavan Cathedral (RC))
Derry   St. Eugene 1873 Diocese of Derry 55°00′00″N 7°19′42″W / 54.9999582°N 7.3284602°W / 54.9999582; -7.3284602 (Derry Cathedral (RC))
Letterkenny   St. Eunan and St. Columba 1901 Diocese of Raphoe 54°57′01″N 7°44′24″W / 54.9502909°N 7.7399969°W / 54.9502909; -7.7399969 (Letterkenny Cathedral (RC))
Longford   St. Mel 1840 Diocese of Ardagh and Clonmacnois

Destroyed by fire in December 2009, then restored and reopened on 24 December 2014.

53°43′38″N 7°47′47″W / 53.7272173°N 7.7962804°W / 53.7272173; -7.7962804 (Longford Cathedral (RC))
Monaghan   St. Macartan 1892 Diocese of Clogher 54°14′41″N 6°57′31″W / 54.2446477°N 6.958487°W / 54.2446477; -6.958487 (Monaghan Cathedral (RC))
Mullingar   Christ the King 1936 Diocese of Meath 53°31′37″N 7°20′47″W / 53.5269418°N 7.3462915°W / 53.5269418; -7.3462915 (Mullingar Cathedral (RC))
Newry   St. Patrick and St. Colman 1829 Diocese of Dromore 54°10′29″N 6°20′16″W / 54.1747441°N 6.3376522°W / 54.1747441; -6.3376522 (Newry Cathedral (RC))

Province of Cashel

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Establishment Image Dedication Established Notes/Provenance Location & Website
Cobh   St. Colman 1915 Diocese of Cloyne 51°51′05″N 8°17′36″W / 51.8514735°N 8.2933044°W / 51.8514735; -8.2933044 (Cobh Cathedral (RC))
Cork   St. Mary and St. Anne 1869 Diocese of Cork and Ross

pro-cathedral

51°54′17″N 8°28′35″W / 51.9047083°N 8.476274°W / 51.9047083; -8.476274 (Cork Cathedral (RC))
Ennis   St. Peter and St. Paul 1843 Diocese of Killaloe

pro-cathedral

52°50′30″N 8°59′00″W / 52.8416355°N 8.9832973°W / 52.8416355; -8.9832973 (Ennis Cathedral (RC))
Killarney   The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary 1855 Diocese of Kerry (Ardfert & Aghadoe) 52°03′34″N 9°31′07″W / 52.0595757°N 9.5185161°W / 52.0595757; -9.5185161 (Killarney Cathedral (RC))
Limerick   St. John the Baptist 1859 Diocese of Limerick 52°39′44″N 8°37′02″W / 52.6621467°N 8.6173153°W / 52.6621467; -8.6173153 (Limerick Cathedral (RC))
Skibbereen   St. Patrick 1826 Diocese of Cork and Ross 51°33′08″N 9°15′49″W / 51.5522194°N 9.2636311°W / 51.5522194; -9.2636311 (Skibbereen Cathedral (RC))
Thurles   The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary 1879 Archdiocese of Cashel and Emly

built on the site of a Carmelite Priory

52°40′48″N 7°48′35″W / 52.6799597°N 7.8096485°W / 52.6799597; -7.8096485 (Thurles Cathedral (RC))
Waterford   The Most Holy Trinity 1796 Diocese of Waterford and Lismore 52°15′41″N 7°06′40″W / 52.2614073°N 7.111094°W / 52.2614073; -7.111094 (Waterford Cathedral (RC))

Province of Dublin

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Establishment Image Dedication Established Notes/Provenance Location & Website
Carlow   The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary 1839 Diocese of Kildare and Leighlin 52°50′13″N 6°55′41″W / 52.8370471°N 6.9279957°W / 52.8370471; -6.9279957 (Carlow Cathedral)
Dublin   The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary 1825 Archdiocese of Dublin

pro-cathedral

53°21′03″N 6°15′33″W / 53.350853°N 6.259149°W / 53.350853; -6.259149 (Carlow Cathedral (RC))
Enniscorthy   St. Aidan 1860 Diocese of Ferns 52°30′09″N 6°34′16″W / 52.5024493°N 6.5712029°W / 52.5024493; -6.5712029 (Enniscorthy Cathedral (RC))
Kilkenny   The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary 1857 Diocese of Ossory 52°39′09″N 7°15′25″W / 52.6524629°N 7.2569096°W / 52.6524629; -7.2569096 (Kilkenny Cathedral (RC))

Province of Tuam

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Establishment Image Dedication Established Notes/Provenance Location & Website
Ballaghaderreen   The Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary and St Nathy 1860 Diocese of Achonry 53°54′13″N 8°34′41″W / 53.9036081°N 8.5779405°W / 53.9036081; -8.5779405 (Ballaghaderreen Cathedral (RC))
Ballina   St Muredach 1892 Diocese of Killala 54°06′46″N 9°09′02″W / 54.1126536°N 9.1505814°W / 54.1126536; -9.1505814 (Ballina Cathedral (RC))
Galway   St. Nicholas and Our Lady Assumed into Heaven 1965 Diocese of Galway, Kilmacduagh and Kilfenora 53°16′31″N 9°03′27″W / 53.2752544°N 9.0574443°W / 53.2752544; -9.0574443 (Galway Cathedral (RC))
Loughrea   St. Brendan 1902 Diocese of Clonfert 53°11′49″N 8°34′01″W / 53.1970032°N 8.5670292°W / 53.1970032; -8.5670292 (Loughrea Cathedral (RC))
Sligo   The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary 1874 Diocese of Elphin 54°16′12″N 8°28′42″W / 54.269892°N 8.4782159°W / 54.269892; -8.4782159 (Sligo Cathedral (RC))
Tuam   The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary 1837 Archdiocese of Tuam 53°30′55″N 8°50′51″W / 53.5153073°N 8.8473845°W / 53.5153073; -8.8473845 (Tuam Cathedral (RC))

Church of Ireland

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Province of Armagh

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Establishment Image Dedication Established Notes/Provenance Location & Website Diocese
Armagh   The Cathedral and Metropolitan Church of St. Patrick 445 54°20′51″N 6°39′23″W / 54.3474522°N 6.6562557°W / 54.3474522; -6.6562557 (Armagh Cathedral (CI)) Armagh
Belfast   St. Anne 1904 54°36′10″N 5°55′43″W / 54.6027733°N 5.9284759°W / 54.6027733; -5.9284759 (Belfast Cathedral (CI)) Connor and Down and Dromore
Clogher   St. Macartan 1744 on site of an ancient monastery 54°24′39″N 7°10′19″W / 54.4107888°N 7.1719265°W / 54.4107888; -7.1719265 (Clogher Cathedral) Clogher
Derry   St. Columb 1633 54°59′38″N 7°19′23″W / 54.9938163°N 7.3230529°W / 54.9938163; -7.3230529 (Derry Cathedral (CI)) Derry and Raphoe
Downpatrick   The Holy and Undivided Trinity 1818 (also known as Down Cathedral)
on site of ancient monastery
54°19′40″N 5°43′16″W / 54.3278839°N 5.7211573°W / 54.3278839; -5.7211573 (Down Cathedral) Down and Dromore
Dromore   Christ the Redeemer 1609 on site of an earlier church 54°24′53″N 6°09′06″W / 54.4146743°N 6.151705°W / 54.4146743; -6.151705 (Dromore Cathedral) Down and Dromore
Enniskillen   St. Macartan 1923 former 17thC parish church 54°20′48″N 7°38′28″W / 54.3465806°N 7.6410078°W / 54.3465806; -7.6410078 (Enniskillen Cathedral) Clogher
Kilmore   St. Fethlimidh 1860 Bedell Memorial Church 53°59′35″N 07°24′46″W / 53.99306°N 7.41278°W / 53.99306; -7.41278 (Kilmore Cathedral) Kilmore, Elphin and Ardagh
Lisburn   Christ Church 1662 54°30′41″N 6°02′30″W / 54.5112953°N 6.0417997°W / 54.5112953; -6.0417997 (Lisburn Cathedral) Connor
Raphoe   St. Eunan 9thC on site of 6thC monastery 54°52′26″N 7°35′53″W / 54.8738165°N 7.5981617°W / 54.8738165; -7.5981617 (Raphoe Cathedral (CI)) Derry and Raphoe
Sligo   St. Mary the Virgin and St. John the Baptist 1874 54°16′13″N 8°28′38″W / 54.270152°N 8.4771109°W / 54.270152; -8.4771109 (Sligo Cathedral (CI)) Kilmore, Elphin and Ardagh

Province of Dublin

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Establishment Image Dedication Established Notes/Provenance Location & Website Diocese
Cashel   St. John the Baptist and St. Patrick's Rock 1780 52°30′56″N 7°53′08″W / 52.5154896°N 7.8854799°W / 52.5154896; -7.8854799 (Cashel Cathedral (CI)) Cashel and Ossory
Clonfert   St. Brendan 53°14′22″N 8°03′32″W / 53.239582°N 8.0590189°W / 53.239582; -8.0590189 (Clonfert Cathedral (CI)) Tuam, Limerick and Killaloe
Cloyne   St. Colman 51°51′42″N 8°07′09″W / 51.8616518°N 8.1191111°W / 51.8616518; -8.1191111 (Cloyne Cathedral (CI)) Cork, Cloyne and Ross
Cork   St. Fin Barre 1870 51°53′40″N 8°28′49″W / 51.8943312°N 8.4803349°W / 51.8943312; -8.4803349 (Cork Cathedral (CI)) Cork, Cloyne and Ross
Dublin   The Holy Trinity commonly called Christ Church Cathedral 53°20′36″N 6°16′16″W / 53.3433652°N 6.2709832°W / 53.3433652; -6.2709832 (Dublin Christchurch Cathedral (CI)) Dublin and Glendalough
Dublin   St. Patrick The National Cathedral is not a cathedral of the Diocese of Dublin. It has a common relationship with all the dioceses of the Church of Ireland 53°20′22″N 6°16′17″W / 53.339444°N 6.271417°W / 53.339444; -6.271417 (St. Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin) Dublin and Glendalough
Ferns   St. Edan 52°35′23″N 6°29′36″W / 52.5897138°N 6.493274°W / 52.5897138; -6.493274 (Ferns Cathedral (CI)) Cashel and Ossory
Kildare   St. Brigid 53°09′29″N 6°54′41″W / 53.1580684°N 6.9114304°W / 53.1580684; -6.9114304 (Kildare Cathedral (CI)) Meath and Kildare
Kilfenora   St. Fachtan c.1200 partly ruined; nave in use for worship 52°59′28″N 9°12′57″W / 52.9911402°N 9.2158556°W / 52.9911402; -9.2158556 (Kilfenora Cathedral (CI)) Tuam, Limerick and Killaloe
Kilkenny   St. Canice 52°39′15″N 7°15′27″W / 52.654161°N 7.257505°W / 52.654161; -7.257505 (Kilkenny Cathedral (CI)) Cashel and Ossory
Killala   St. Patrick 17thC 54°12′44″N 9°13′15″W / 54.212222°N 9.220833°W / 54.212222; -9.220833 (Killala Cathedral (CI)) Tuam, Limerick and Killaloe
Killaloe   St. Flannan 12thC founded (on the site of an earlier monastery) in 1185 by Donal Mor O'Brien 52°48′23″N 8°26′21″W / 52.8065233°N 8.4392488°W / 52.8065233; -8.4392488 (Killaloe Cathedral (CI)) Tuam, Limerick and Killaloe
Leighlin   St. Laserian 52°44′11″N 7°01′34″W / 52.7362657°N 7.0261002°W / 52.7362657; -7.0261002 (Leighlin Cathedral (CI)) Cashel and Ossory
Limerick   The Blessed Virgin Mary 1168 52°40′05″N 8°37′24″W / 52.6681459°N 8.6232591°W / 52.6681459; -8.6232591 (Limerick Cathedral (CI)) Tuam, Limerick and Killaloe
Lismore   The Blessed Virgin Mary and Saint Carthage 52°08′23″N 7°55′44″W / 52.1396913°N 7.928921°W / 52.1396913; -7.928921 (Lismore Cathedral (CI)) Cashel and Ossory
Rosscarbery   St. Fachtna 51°34′41″N 9°01′47″W / 51.5779496°N 9.0296781°W / 51.5779496; -9.0296781 (Rosscarbery Cathedral (CI)) Cork, Cloyne and Ross
Trim   St. Patrick 1954 19thC Parish Church 53°33′30″N 6°47′26″W / 53.5582766°N 6.7906237°W / 53.5582766; -6.7906237 (Trim Cathedral (CI)) Meath and Kildare
Tuam   St. Mary 19thC 53°30′50″N 8°51′19″W / 53.5139293°N 8.855238°W / 53.5139293; -8.855238 (Tuam Cathedral (CI)) Tuam, Limerick and Killaloe
Waterford   The Holy Trinity 1770 Commonly called Christ Church Cathedral 52°15′36″N 7°06′27″W / 52.2599495°N 7.1075535°W / 52.2599495; -7.1075535 (Waterford Cathedral (CI)) Cashel and Ossory

Former cathedrals

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With some exceptions, these former cathedrals were established prior to the Reformation in Ireland and the subsequent transfer of Church assets to the Established church. Most had ceased to be cathedrals prior to the establishment of the Church of Ireland.

Establishment Image Dedication Established Notes/Provenance Location & Website
Achonry   St. Crumnathy 1822–1997 Closed in 1997. The cathedral was built on the site of a monastery 54°04′39″N 8°39′15″W / 54.0774319°N 8.6542869°W / 54.0774319; -8.6542869 (Achonry Cathedral (CI))
Aghadoe

 || ||align=center| 1158||Abandoned by 1740. Now in ruins.||52°04′37″N 9°33′16″W / 52.076837°N 9.554553°W / 52.076837; -9.554553 (Ardagh Cathedral)

Annaghdown   St. Brendan 10thC 54°04′39″N 8°39′15″W / 54.077432°N 8.654287°W / 54.077432; -8.654287 (Annaghdown Cathedral)
Ardagh   Mél of Ardagh 10thC Although reputed to date from the time of St Mél, the structure visible today is a 9th or 10th century building. 53°40′02″N 7°41′33″W / 53.6671207°N 7.6925915°W / 53.6671207; -7.6925915 (Ardagh Cathedral)
Ardfert   St. Brendan 13thC destroyed by fire 1641 (NM) 52°19′44″N 9°46′55″W / 52.3288091°N 9.7818661°W / 52.3288091; -9.7818661 (Ardfert Cathedral)
Ardmore   13thC 51°56′56″N 7°43′34″W / 51.948828°N 7.7260709°W / 51.948828; -7.7260709 (Ardmore Cathedral)
Cashel   52°31′13″N 7°53′28″W / 52.52034°N 7.891129°W / 52.52034; -7.891129 (Cashel Cathedral)
Clonard St. John destroyed by fire 1206
Connor + St. Saviour destroyed in the Irish Rebellion of 1641; CI Parish Church on site 54°48′26″N 6°12′45″W / 54.8072928°N 6.2123866°W / 54.8072928; -6.2123866 (Connor Cathedral)
Duleek Co. Meath
Elphin St. Mary the Virgin Church of Ireland parish church, wrecked by storm damage in the 1950s, now ruined; diocese amalgamated with Sligo 53°50′43″N 8°11′26″W / 53.8452283°N 8.1905464°W / 53.8452283; -8.1905464 (Elphin Cathedral)
Emly   St. Alibeus demolished 1877
Fermoy   St. Patrick co-cathedral, now parochial church 52°08′11″N 8°16′47″W / 52.136468°N 8.279786°W / 52.136468; -8.279786 (Fermoy Cathedral)
Glendalough   St. Peter and St. Paul 7th-13thC (NM) 53°00′38″N 6°19′37″W / 53.010556°N 6.326944°W / 53.010556; -6.326944 (Glendalough Cathedral)
Kilmacduagh   St. Colman 15thC (NM) 53°02′52″N 8°53′17″W / 53.047778°N 8.888056°W / 53.047778; -8.888056 (Kilmacduagh Cathedral)
Newtown-Trim   St. Peter and St. Paul 15thC (NM) 53°33′21″N 6°46′19″W / 53.555701°N 6.771966°W / 53.555701; -6.771966 (Newtown-Trim Cathedral)
Scattery Island   Co. Clare 52°36′51″N 9°31′00″W / 52.6141819°N 9.5167726°W / 52.6141819; -9.5167726 (Scattery Island Cathedral)


See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Home". Ordnance Survey Ireland. Retrieved 21 December 2014.
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