ONE of the most significant buildings for the Catholic Church in Ireland is celebrating 150 years since its original dedication.
Saint Patrick’s Cathedral in Armagh was first constructed between 1840 and 1904, following a period where the repressive penal laws meant there was few Catholic Churches and no Cathedrals in Ireland.
Today it serves as the seat of the Catholic Archbishop of Ireland, Primate of All Ireland.
With the first foundation stone laid in 1840 by Archbishop and Primate William Crolly, building work was suspended by the famine as construction funds were released to the poor.
On August 24, 1873, massive crowds gathered from all over Ireland and beyond to witness the official day of opening and dedication.
From Thursday to Sunday this week, a series of special services is being held including a celebratory mass from the Archbishop of New York, Cardinal Timothy Dolan.
Addressing churchgoers at an evening prayer on Thursday night, the Primate of All Ireland – Archbishop Eamon Martin – unveiled a specially commissioned icon of Saint Patrick, written by the Redemptoristine Sisters in Drumcondra, Dublin.
The image shows St Patick cradling the Cathedral in his arm in a gesture of protection, symbolising his vocational role for the people of Ireland.
After the foundation stone of the Cathedral was laid in 1840, Archbishop Martin said it would have been a “joyful moment for the Catholics of Ireland.”
“That was like a renaissance moment after Catholic Emancipation - to have our own Cathedral here in Armagh, the see of Saint Patrick, after centuries of discrimination and exclusion. No wonder 20 to 30,000 people turned up for the occasion.”
Read more
Thanking the “countless people in Ireland” that had sacrificed to construct the Cathedral, he said there was also “huge generosity” from the Irish diaspora in America and Canada as well as from many Protestant neighbours.
Looking towards the next 150 years, he urged churchgoers to follow in the example of St Patrick.
“One day this beautiful Cathedral will eventually fall into ruin or be replaced. What is really important is we keep alive the faith and hope that this place represents and hand on the faith to our children and grandchildren.
“Wouldn’t it be a shame if this beautiful Cathedral ceased to be a living house of prayer and ended up as simply another interesting tourist stop for visitors to Armagh.”
Armagh is also home to the Church of Ireland Cathedral of the same name.
Speaking to the BBC before Thursday's service, Archbishop Martin said: “We are very unique in Armagh, we have two Saint Patrick’s Cathedrals on two hills looking across at each other.
“And thanks be to God, we’ve great friendship and relationships nowadays.”
