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St John's Cathedral | Inside the Cathedral | Church Ruins

St John's Cathedral

St John's Cathedral
© St John's Cathedral

The Cathedral of St John the Baptist is the present day Cathedral in Limerick City. The link between St John the Baptist and the area around the Cathedral is long standing. According to Begley, the Knights Templars had a house in the area in the 12th century that was dedicated to John the Baptist.

After the Synod of Rathbrassil in 1111, St Mary's church became the first cathedral church of the Diocese of Limerick. According to local tradition, Donal O'Brien, the King of Thomond, donated his palace as the new site for a Cathedral in the latter half of the twelfth century. As the Synod of Rathbrassil occurred in the first half of the twelfth century, this tradition is certainly false. Brian Hodkinson suggests that during Donal's reign, the church moved to a new site on land provided by Donal. However, following the Reformation, this Cathedral became the property of the Church of Ireland.

See St Mary's Parish for more details on St Mary's Cathedral.

William Hill, a Quaker, bought the site of the present Cathedral in 1796 and the land was kept in a secret trust, as Roman Catholics could not buy land at that time. The foundation stone was laid on May 1st 1856. The coins of the realm were placed in a phial together with an inscription in eight languages. The then Bishop, Dr Ryan visited all the churches of the diocese to collect money for the new church. Originally the plan was to build a plain church for the 15,000 Catholics in St John's parish to replace the old chapel of St John, which was built in 1753.

Due to the widespread response to the appeal for funds, Bishop Ryan decided to convert the church to the Cathedral of the diocese. Philip Charles Hardwicke of London designed it in the style of a Gothic Revival building and the builders were Mr. Wallace & Sons. Hardwicke was chosen after he won a competition to design the Cathedral. The decision caused some annoyance as Hardwicke's design was picked ahead of many Irishmens' designs.

The church design was influenced by Salisbury Cathedral. The Cathedral was built using blue Limerick limestone. Fr William Bourke PP, who was parish priest during the building of the Cathedral, said the first mass in the Cathedral on March 7th 1859. Fr Bourke died a few weeks later and is buried in the Cathedral at the pillar of Belzoni's statue of Our Lady.

The Cathedral was opened for public worship in July 1861 but it had not been completed at the time. The tower was incomplete and the interior of the Cathedral remained to be decorated as well as the three side chapels.

The Cathedral measures 51 metres by 36 at the transepts. The nave measures 24 metres internally and consists of five bays and a clerestory.

St John's Cathedral has the highest spire in Ireland at 308 feet and 3 inches from the base of the tower to the top of the Cross. The Cathedral is an example of Victorian Gothic design. The tower tapers into a spire at 163 feet high. An iron cross was placed on the top of the spire on 27 September 1882. However three days later the cross was knocked during a storm. Little damage was caused to the building and a new cross was placed on the spire in August of the following year. A lighting conductor was also placed on top of the spire in 1883. A firm of architects led by Maurice Hennessy designed the spire and the builder was Mr. T. Byrne. The Cathedral bell was cast in Dublin in 1883 and was transported by barge to Limerick. The bell weighs one and a half tons.

The Cathedral was renovated in 1884 as the interior was in need of a major restoration due to dampness. After this restoration, the consecration of the Cathedral took place on June 21st 1894. It officially became a Cathedral on January 7th 1912 in a decree by Pope Pius X, which also restored the Cathedral Chapter.

More work has been carried out on the Cathedral since but this has mainly been to keep the building in a good state of repair. A new copper roof was put on the Cathedral during renovations in the early 1950s. Further renovations were carried out on the sanctuary in the Cathedral during the late 1970s and again in 2003. For more information on the most recent conservation project, click here.

Mission Cross
© Mission Cross

A sign outside of the Cathedral on the right marks the site of the last Roman Catholic parish church of St John's. To the right of the Cathedral, there is a Mission Cross, which was erected to commemorate four missions: the Redemptorists Fathers in October 1851; the Oblates of Mary Immaculate in May 1870; the Vincentian Fathers in May 1863; and the Oblates Fathers during Lent 1952.

In the grounds of the St John's Prebystery, there is a statue to Patrick Sarsfield, which was erected in 1881.

Statue of Patrick Sarsfield
© Statue of Patrick Sarsfield

Inside the Cathedral

Choir and main door of St John's Cathedral
© Choir and main door of St John's Cathedral

Outside the Cathedral a statue of St John the Baptist has been erected above the main door. A stained glass window in the west wall of the nave depicts St Augustine and St Ambrose on the left and St Jerome and St Gregory on the right. The inscription under the left-hand window states that Robert Unthank erected the window to the memory of John and Mary Unthank. The Reverend Daniel Synan erected this window on the right in 1851 to the memory of Bishop Bulter who was once the administrator of St John's. Above both windows is a stained glass window that depicts the Descent of the Holy Spirit onto the Apostles.

Inside the main door of the Cathedral two flags hang down from the choir. The first flag commemorates the Wild Geese who were men who left Limerick after the Treaty of 1691. About 18,000 men remained loyal to Catholicism and King James. The flag has a harp surmounted by the Stuart Imperial Crown on a red cross. Two quarters on the flag are red. Their motto was In hoc signo vinces, which means, "Through the sign you conquer". This flag was erected in 1991 to commemorate the 300th anniversary of the Flight of the Wild Geese. The second flag over the choir was made by the children of St John’s School to commemorate the Conservation work on St John’s Cathedral in 2003.

Pièta  Stained Glass Windows at the back of the cathedral  Stained Glass Windows at the back of the cathedral
© Pièta and Stained Glass Windows

On the left of the main door to the Cathedral, there is a stained glass window in four sections. The top two sections depict Mary and St Joseph, while the bottom two depict St Richard and St Theresa. Directly beneath the window there is a large statue of the Pieta. To the left of this, there is a statue to St Anne. The accompanying inscription asks people to pray for the souls of James & Bridget Cross. On the far right there is a statue of St Anthony. Near right, there is a statue of Our Lady of Guadeloupe, the patron saint of the unborn. The Kennedy family donated this statue in January 1995.

Statue of Saint Anne  Statue of the Sacred Heart  Statue of St Theresa
© Statues in St John's Cathedral

Along the left hand aisle of the Cathedral there are two stained glass windows, which depict the sacraments of Confirmation and Ordination.

There is a large Crucifix on the wall between the stained glass windows of the Confirmation and Ordination. Further along the wall of the aisle there is a stained glass window to the apostle St Thomas, who represents the sacrament of Baptism.

Underneath the Crucifix there is a side door to the Cathedral. The Mortuary Chapel was formerly used as the shop of the Cathedral and during the renovations; a new external door in the style of the front door of the Cathedral was erected. The internal door is made from clear glass onto which an etching of the old church of St John’s, dated 1753 is imposed on the glass.

Crucifix  Stained Glass Window  Stained Glass Windows  Stained Glass Window
© Crucifix and Stained Glass Windows at the left of the Cathedral

In the left transept there is a painting of the Deposition from the Cross by Limerick artist Timothy Collopy. This painting was originally situated in the old penal Chapel of St John prior to the completion of the Cathedral in 1861. A large stained glass window depicts various scenes from the life of Jesus Christ. The centrepiece of the window shows the Transfiguration of Christ, surrounded by Moses, Elijah, Peter, James and John. Above this are Jesus and Mary Magdalene while at the bottom of the panel is Christ teaching the Disciples.

To the left of this, the window shows Christ and St Peter above, and the wedding at Cana beneath. Further left, it depicts Christ with the Centurion, the miracle of the loaves and fishes and the temptation of Jesus in the desert.

The right hand side of the window depicts Christ and the little Children above and the raising of Jairus' daughter beneath. To the right of this is the calming of the seas, the Sermon on the Mount and the raising of Lazarus from the dead. Beneath this stained glass window, there is a memorial to Bishop Edward Thomas O'Dwyer.

Chapel to the Blessed Sacrament  Memorial to Bishop O'Dwyer
© Chapel to the Blessed Sacrament and Memorial to Bishop O'Dwyer

To the left of the main altar, there is a chapel to the Blessed Sacrament. Over the chapel altar there is a stained glass window of the Last Supper. This chapel used to contain the back and the canopy of the former bishop's throne. This throne was carved out of Riga oak in Munich in 1894. Carved in the wood are scenes of Baptism, the Crucifixion and the Lamb of God. In the course of the restoration of the Cathedral during 2003 and 2003, the baptismal font was moved into the left transept, which was its original location. Behind the baptismal font is the new aumbry, where the holy oils are kept. The aumbry was formerly the chapel of the Blessed Sacrament. The aumbry is contained in the back and the canopy of the former bishop’s throne.

Buried in front of the Blessed Sacrament Chapel are:

  Bishop Jeremiah Newman, Consecrated July 14 1974, Died April 3 1995
  Most Rev. David Keane D.D., Consecrated 1924, Died March 13 1945

To the left of the chapel of the Blessed Sacrament there is a chapel to St Joseph. Over the altar of the chapel there is a stained glass window of St Joseph. The flight into Egypt and the wedding of Joseph and Mary are depicted on panels on the altar. At the base of the altar the death of St Joseph is depicted. There are two statues made by Mayer of Munich in front of the chapel, one of which depicts St Joseph.

Chapel to St Joseph  Statue of St Joseph
© Chapel to St Joseph and Statue of St Joseph

To the left of the chapel to St Joseph there are two stained glass windows depicting St Michael and St Edmund. Mrs. Harriet O'Brien donated the stained glass window of St Michael in memory of her father Michael O'Neill.

On the wall are plaques to the following Bishops of the Diocese of Limerick:

  Bishop Denis Hallinan D.D., Consecrated Mar. 10 1918, Died July 2 1923
  George Bulter D.D., Consecrated 1861, Died Feb. 3 1886
  John Ryan D.D., Consecrated 1825, Died 1864
  Edward Thomas O'Dwyer D.D., Consecrated 1886, Died Aug. 19 1917
  David Keane D.D., Consecrated 1924, Died March 13 1945


Memorial to Bishop Keane
© Memorial to Bishop Keane

Under the thirteenth Station of the Cross in the left transept lies the tomb of Father James Fitzgibbon. Father Fitzgibbon died during the cholera epidemic of 1837 at the age of 29. He contracted the disease while assisting the poor and sick of St John's parish. When the church of St John's was demolished to enable the construction of the new Cathedral, the remains of Father Fitzgibbon were found to be intact. His father, Edmund Fitzgibbon, erected the plaque to his memory.

To the right of the main door to the Cathedral, there is a stained glass window, which depicts the Baptism of Christ and his Resurrection. This window was donated by Mr. John T Cleary, Mayor of Limerick in 1873 and 1874.

Stained Glass Window  Stained Glass Window  Stained Glass Window  Stained Glass Window

Stained Glass Windows   Stained Glass Window
© Stained Glass Windows in the left and right transepts

Beneath this window there is a statue of the Sacred Heart. To the left of this is a shrine to Our Lady of Perpetual Help next to which is a picture of the Sacred Heart. The picture was donated to the memory of Bridget (Biddy) Cross. On the right there is a statue to St Therese of Liseiux.

Along the right hand side of the Cathedral are stained glass windows depicting the Sacraments of the Anointing of the Sick, Confession, Marriage and Communion. The stained glass window of Confession shows the Prodigal Son. The stained glass window of Communion shows the miracle of the loaves and fishes. The stained glass window on Marriage shows the wedding of Mary and Joseph.

Stained Glass Windows  Stained Glass Windows  Stained Glass Windows  Stained Glass Windows
© Stained Glass Windows on the right hand side of the cathedral

In the right transept there is a plaque in Latin to Bishop O'Dwyer who consecrated the Cathedral Church on June 21st 1894. The plaque also details that the relics of the Blessed Martyrs Polycarp, Justin and Agatha were placed in the high altar. According to the inscription on a nearby plaque, Thomas E. O'Brien and his wife Harriet of Southill, Limerick erected the stained glass windows of the Transfiguration of Christ and the Assumption of Our Lady in memory of their friend the Most Reverend George Bulter, Bishop of Limerick.

The centrepiece of the large stained glass window in this transept is the Assumption of Our Lady into heaven. Surrounding this are different scenes from the Rosary. At the bottom of the window, the Joyful Mysteries are shown and they are (from left to right) the Annunciation, the Visitation, the Nativity, the Presentation and the Finding of Jesus in the Temple.

Above the Joyful Mysteries are scenes from the Sorrowful Mysteries - the Agony in the Garden and the Scourging at the Pillar. Above these are Jesus meeting his mother on the Via Dolorosa and the Crucifixion. The top of the window depicts the Glorious Mysteries of the Resurrection and the Ascension. There is a scene at the top of the centre window of Jesus crowning Mary as the Queen of Heaven. Under this stained glass window there is a bust to Bishop George Bulter, which was carved by Sir Thomas O'Farrell. The accompanying plaque bears a Latin inscription. Also in the right transept, there is a painting of the Deposition from the Cross by Limerick artist Timothy Collopy. This painting was originally situated in the old penal chapel of St John prior to the completion of the Cathedral in 1861.

To the right of the main altar there is a chapel of Our Lady. In front of the Our Lady's chapel, there is a statue of the Blessed Virgin in white marble, which was sculpted by Giovanni Benzoni and was donated by William Monsell who was later to become Lord Emly.

Our Lady's Chapel   Statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary
© Our Lady's Chapel and Statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary

The Pork Butchers' Association restored Our Lady's chapel in 1954 and it was dedicated to the memory of Bishop O'Dwyer. Over the altar there is a stained glass window of Our Lady. There are scenes from her life around the altar and at the base of the altar. There is a mosaic of Our Lady behind the altar.

Buried in front of Our Lady's chapel are:

  Right Rev. George Bulter D.D., Consecrated 1861, Died Feb. 3 1886
  Bishop Denis Hallinan, Consecrated March 10 1918, Died July 2 1923


St Vincent de Paul's Chapel
© St Vincent de Paul's Chapel

To the right of Our Lady's chapel, there is a chapel to St Vincent de Paul. There is a stained glass window and a statue of St Vincent de Paul. The panels of the altar depict scenes from his life. On the left hand side of the altar there is a statue of St Brigid while on the right there is a statue of St Patrick.

In front of the chapel of St Vincent de Paul is the flag of the Wild Geese. The Wild Geese were men who left Limerick after the Treaty of 1691. About 18,000 men remained loyal to Catholicism and King James. The flag has a harp surmounted by the Stuart Imperial Crown on a red cross. Two quarters on the flag are red. Their motto was In hoc signo vinces, which means, "Through the sign you conquer". This flag was erected in 1991 to commemorate the 300th anniversary of the Flight of the Wild Geese.

To the right of St Vincent de Paul's chapel there are two stained glass windows of St James and St George slaying the dragon. The window of St James was erected to the memory of James Barry, a magistrate. Mr. Barry died on September 2 1856. Mrs. Harriet O'Brien donated the stained glass window of St George as a tribute to Bishop George Bulter. Meyer of Munich made the stained glass windows in the chapel of St Vincent de Paul and in the right transept at a cost of £600.

High Altar in Cathedral  Crucifix above high altar
© Altar in St John's Cathedral, and close-up of the crucifix above the altar

Above the High Altar, there is a crucifixion scene. The Virgin Mary is on the left and John is on the right of Our Lord on the cross. According to a plaque on the right of the centre aisle, the High Altar itself is a gift from Mrs. F. MacNamara to the memory of her husband Charles. It is made from Limerick marble, alabaster and coloured marble. Mr. White carried out the stonework of the altar.

Limerick marble was stone that was quarried in Clare. This stone was used to construct most of the buildings in the Englishtown part of Limerick city in the seventeenth century. This part of the city was also known as King's Island as it was built on an island for defence reasons. As Judith Hill wrote in her essay 'A Letter to Holland' from the book "Living at the Time of the Siege of Limerick" the streets were also paved with this marble, which Hill states, "is very different from the Italian marble you find in churches".

Close up of the altar table
© Detail of Altar

A carving in the centre of the altar, sculpted by Theodore Phyffers, depicts the sacrifice of Abraham. Mr. Phyffers also carved the reredos behind the High Altar, which contains two statues on either side. Statues (from left to right) of St Brigid, St Patrick, St Munchin and St John the Baptist surround the tabernacle. The pulpit depicts the following scenes from the life of Christ (anti-clockwise) - presentation, resurrection, baptism, transfiguration and deposition.

Stations of the Cross  Pulpit in St John's Cathedral
© Stations of the Cross and Pulpit in St John's Cathedral

According to a plaque on the left of the centre aisle, Denis & Elizabeth Ryan donated the Stations of the Cross in 1872 along with the statue of St John the Baptist at the entrance to the church. During renovations to the Cathedral in the 1950s, the original Stations of the Cross were sent to the Missions in Africa. The present Stations of the Cross were carved in the Bavarian town of Oberammergau and they were erected in 1955. During the conservation project of 2001-3, the Stations of the Cross were cleaned and restored.

Buried in front of the high altar are:

  Most Rev. Edward Thomas O'Dwyer, Consecrated 1886
  Right Reverend John Ryan D.D., Consecrated 1864


The centrepiece of the stained glass window behind the high altar is the dogma of the Immaculate Conception surrounded by images of Christ, Pope Pius IX and Bishop John Ryan. To the right of this are depictions of St Joseph, St Brigid and St Patrick. Further right are images of St Coleman and St Vincent de Paul. To the left are St John the Baptist, St Ita and St Munchin while the outer part of the window shows St George and St Senan. Both of the outer windows have an angel at the top. This window was erected in 1867 by the then Bishop Butler as a memorial to Bishop John Ryan who built the Cathedral.

For a more detailed history of St John's Cathedral, consult 'St John's Cathedral, Limerick' by John Fleming. Four Court Press published this book in 1987.

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