The site of St. Finbarr's cathedral has been a place of worship
since the 7th century, and the school founded by Finbarr (Finbarre)
there continued to be listed among the five principal monastic
schools of Ireland down to the 10th century. No trace of the early
foundation remains, except for the cemetery in which he was buried,
a site marked by the present cathedral and a succession of previous
buildings.
The medieval cathedral suffered exceeding damage in the siege of
Cork in 1690 when it came under fire from the nearby Elizabeth
Fort. When the steeple was demolished in 1865, a 24-pound cannon
was discovered imbedded deep in the masonry. It now hangs from a
chain in the ambulatory.
The foundation stone of a new building was laid in 1735 by
Bishop Peter Browne. It was a small plain classical building which
incorporated the tower and spire of the previous cathedral.
However, in 1865 the medieval cathedral was demolished because
it was felt to be inadequate to the dignity of a cathedral and the
size of the diocese. The fine entrance gate to the 18th century
cathedral still stands.
Willliam Burges was appointed architect for a new cathedral in
1862, after a competition for which there were 63 entries. Among
the requirements of the competition was that the cost of the
building should not exceed £15,000 and Burges was criticised by
other architects because the cost of the towers, spires and carving
was not included in his estimate. In the end some £100,000 was
spent on the building.
In 1865 the foundation stone was laid by Bishop John Gregg and
on St. Andrew's Day,1870, the building was consecrated. The towers
and spires were not completed until 1879. The cathedral is built of
Cork limestone and the interior of Bath stone and the walls are
lined with red Cork marble.
The Resurrection Angel on the pinnacle of the sanctuary roof was
a gift from Burges to the Cathedral. It is made from copper and
covered with gold leaf.
Please replace cache appropriately. Thank You
Image taken c.1865 showing early stages of
construction work