THE CHURCH AND THE GRAVE

Original Images By A Real Street Photographer

Home » Carlow Cathedral

Carlow Cathedral

CARLOW CATHEDRAL

by

CATHEDRAL OF THE ASSUMPTION

  • CARLOW CATHEDRAL [CATHEDRAL OF THE ASSUMPTION]-239710-1
  • CARLOW CATHEDRAL [CATHEDRAL OF THE ASSUMPTION]-239709-1
  • CARLOW CATHEDRAL [CATHEDRAL OF THE ASSUMPTION]-239708-1
  • CARLOW CATHEDRAL [CATHEDRAL OF THE ASSUMPTION]-239707-1
  • CARLOW CATHEDRAL [CATHEDRAL OF THE ASSUMPTION]-239706-1
  • CARLOW CATHEDRAL [CATHEDRAL OF THE ASSUMPTION]-239705-1
  • CARLOW CATHEDRAL [CATHEDRAL OF THE ASSUMPTION]-239704-1
  • CARLOW CATHEDRAL [CATHEDRAL OF THE ASSUMPTION]-239703-1
  • CARLOW CATHEDRAL [CATHEDRAL OF THE ASSUMPTION]-239702-1
  • CARLOW CATHEDRAL [CATHEDRAL OF THE ASSUMPTION]-239701-1
  • CARLOW CATHEDRAL [CATHEDRAL OF THE ASSUMPTION]-239700-1
  • CARLOW CATHEDRAL [CATHEDRAL OF THE ASSUMPTION]-239699-1
  • CARLOW CATHEDRAL [CATHEDRAL OF THE ASSUMPTION]-239698-1
  • CARLOW CATHEDRAL [CATHEDRAL OF THE ASSUMPTION]-239697-1
  • CARLOW CATHEDRAL [CATHEDRAL OF THE ASSUMPTION]-239696-1
  • CARLOW CATHEDRAL [CATHEDRAL OF THE ASSUMPTION]-239695-1
  • CARLOW CATHEDRAL [CATHEDRAL OF THE ASSUMPTION]-239694-1

Construction and Design:

The Cathedral of the Assumption, the seat of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Kildare and Leighlin, stands proudly in Carlow Town. Its construction began in 1828, with the foundation stone laid by Bishop James Doyle, a prominent figure in Irish history. The cathedral was completed and consecrated in 1833. Its design is attributed to the renowned architect Thomas Cobden, a pioneer of the Gothic Revival style in Ireland. Cobden’s vision for the cathedral was inspired by European examples, most notably the Belfry of Bruges, resulting in a striking blend of architectural elements.

Unique Features:

The Carlow Cathedral boasts several distinctive features that contribute to its grandeur and historical significance:

Imposing Tower: A prominent landmark visible from afar, the cathedral’s tower reaches a height of 151 feet (46 meters), making it one of the tallest structures in Carlow.

Gothic Revival Architecture: The cathedral’s architecture exemplifies the Gothic Revival style, with pointed arches, ribbed vaults, and ornate tracery adorning its exterior and interior. This style, popular in the 19th century, aimed to evoke the grandeur and spirituality of medieval cathedrals.

Stained Glass Windows: The cathedral houses a collection of beautiful stained glass windows, depicting scenes from the Bible and the lives of saints. These windows bathe the interior in colourful light, creating a serene and contemplative atmosphere.

Historic Significance: As the first cathedral built in Ireland after Catholic Emancipation in 1829, the Cathedral of the Assumption holds a special place in Irish history. It symbolises the resurgence of Catholicism in the country after centuries of oppression.

You will find links to buy products from Amazon, Google and other partners. If you click on these links, you’ll find that the URL includes a small extra piece of text which identifies that the click came from my websites. This text is an affiliate code, and it means that I get a small payment if you choose to buy that product. These affiliate links help pay the costs of producing my websites and ensure that the content is free to you.