Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Ireland's Churches - Killarney and Cobh

Killarney


We realized with this trip that we could stay back from some of the excursions and "do our own thing" if we wished. So when we found ourselves in Killarney on a Sunday, we decided to go to church. Doing a little internet research, I found this beautiful Anglican Church, just five minutes' walk from our hotel. St. Mary's Church of Ireland has a rich history, as we found true of so many churches we visited.

This very pretty church was built in 1870 in English Gothic style. Long ago, the site was part an ancient religious complex and once included St Mary's Well, reputed to cure a variety of ailments. The interior of the church is quite attractive with impressive stained glass windows and gothic details. In contrast to churches on a grander scale, it may be easier to appreciate the intricate interior architecture and decoration here. The Victorian tiled floor is particularly impressive.



It sits on very lovely grounds and has a steeple that rises high above the city.



The Rose Window from outside the church.


Identification.


Looking toward the Altar. (This was taken on Saturday.)


Lovely pipe organ - it made beautiful music on Sunday!


The detail in the architecture was stunning.


The minister did not stand in this pulpit on Sunday! But isn't it beautiful?


A sampling of the stained glass art all around the building.
This church reminded me of the church I grew up in long ago.

My traveling companions preparing for worship.
I was very happy that Bill was able to worship in an Anglican Church in Ireland.

Here is a link to further information: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Mary


Cobh

Our Tour Director, Dee Dee, seemed to have quite an interest in the churches in Ireland, for she gave us not only plenty of time in each church, but lots of history and even minute details about the churches. She seemed to know quite a bit about this one, as she lives across the river from Cobh. St. Colman's Cathedral is a massive Roman Catholic church overlooking Cork Harbor in the city of Cobh.

St. Colman's Cathedral, overlooking Cobh, carries within its walls the traditions of thirteen centuries of the Diocese of Cloyne. It is dedicated to St. Colman who founded the diocese in 560 A.D. Colman was a poet bard to the Court of Aodh Caomh, King of Munster, at Cashel in Tipperary. Influenced by St. Brendan and St. Ita, he left Palace life to become a priest.
A view of the Cathedral from the promenade by the dock.

Impressive marble figures adorn the front of the church.

The High Altar

All these fellows are Bishops of the Diocese of Cloyne.

Rose window sits above the massive organ, which has 2468 pipes. Interestingly, the pipes which are visible are dummy pipes; the actual works of the organ are located behind these.

Stained glass windows depict the parables of Christ.

The floors are mosaic, made from marble quarried in several regions of Ireland.

Another fine example of Irish marble in the many columns throughout the cathedral.

Follow this link, http://www.foscc.com/home.html, to learn more about St. Colman's.


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