According to tradition, Saint Marys Cathedral Limerick, Ireland, is built on the site of the Viking place of assembly the thing; subsequently the palace of the OBrien kings of Thomond, and was given to the Church by King Donal Mór OBrien in 1168.
In the following centuries the cathedral was embellished by the wealthy merchants of Limerick who built the chantry chapels on the north and south sides of the nave the largest surviving range of medieval chantry chapels in any Irish church. The cathedral boasts Irelands largest medieval altar stone and Irelands only surviving medieval choir stalls.
Later centuries saw the installation of the massive 17th-century Thomond Monument in the chancel, beside the tomb of Donal Mór OBrien. In the early 19th century, the Pain brothers designed the Bishops Throne or Cathedra, the screen to the Glentworth Chapel, and the monument to Bishop John Jebb. The 19th-century stained glass is particularly fine.
Saint Marys Cathedral is an extraordinarily complex building representing developments from the mid-twelfth century to the later twentieth century a treasure of Irish religious art. It continues to be a place of prayer and pilgrimage for all who enter its doors and a symbol of faith, hope and love to the city of Limerick.
Foreword from the Bishop 4
Message from the Dean 6
A Brief History of an Ancient Cathedral 8
The Treasury 14
Monuments 17
The Bells 20
Misericords 23
Music 27
The People 31
The Graveyard 33
Windows 36
Acknowledgements and Photographic Credits 40
The work is a combined effort of a number of individuals who have a deep love of the Cathedral. Contributions from: Ros Stevenson (Editor); The Rt Revd MAJ Burrows, The Very Revd NJW Sloane, Kieron Brislane, Peter Barley, John Elliott, Jim Noonan, Craig Copley Brown, Noreen Ellerker, Andrea Brislane & John Holmes (Photos).
