Sunday …. Off to Church

Saint Colman’s Cathedral, Cobh,  County Cork, Ireland

High on the hill above Cobh and overlooking Cork Bay is the Cathedral of St. Colman.  It s a landmark that dominates the town and landscape, a dominance enhanced by the 300ft (91.4m) height of its spire. Not that the body of the Cathedral could be described as small.

By Cathedral timelines, St. Colman’s is relatively new.  The foundations were laid in 1868 and it took till 1916 for the building to be completed.  Construction hit many financial difficulties as cost and plans changed.  The Spire itself was not started till 1911 being completed 1915.

Colman was the patron Saint of Cloyne and the Cathedral was finally dedicated to him when the Cathedral was Consecrated on August 24th 1919.

The interior is both tall and also dark (the darkest I have visited with lights being required for much, if not all of the day). The spire above also holds a carillon of 49 Bells.   At the head of the nave is a very ornate and intricately carved Alter piece, worthy of a visit in its own right.

Cobh is very much dominated by St. Colman…. Cobh was also the last port of call for the ill fated Titanic. As Titanic sailed away from its anchor point in the bay, the Cathedral would be one of the last sights of Ireland that the passengers would see, though I was told that the construction of the Spire had not then been completed.

Sunday… a day to relax and reflect for many… even if this is not possible we should all…..

Please Remember ….
Stay Safe …. Be Kind…. Look After Each Other

25th August

(C) David Oakes 2024