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.
[edit] Overview
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 which 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 the United Kingdom). 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.
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.
[edit] Abbreviations and Key
[edit] Listing of establishments
[edit] Roman Catholic Church
[edit] Province of Armagh
[edit] Province of Cashel
[edit] Province of Dublin
[edit] Province of Tuam
[edit] Church of Ireland
[edit] Province of Armagh
[edit] Province of Dublin
[edit] Former cathedrals
With some exceptions, these former cathedrals were established prior to the English Reformation 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.
[edit] Russian Orthodox Church
[edit] Church of Ireland (Traditional Rite)
| Establishment |
Image |
Dedication |
Established |
Notes/Provenance |
Location & Website |
| Newtownards |
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St. John |
1991 |
built as a Quaker Meeting House in the mid-18thC |
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[edit] See also
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| England and Wales |
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Province of Westminster
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Province of Birmingham
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Province of Liverpool
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Province of Southwark
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Province of Cardiff
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Other dioceses
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| Scotland |
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Province of St Andrews and Edinburgh
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Province of Glasgow
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| Ireland |
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Province of Armagh
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Province of Cashel
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Province of Dublin
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Province of Tuam
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[edit] External links
