Kilmore Cathedral

       Kilmore Cathedral or as it is properly known " The Cathedral of St Fethlimidh" is situated on an elevated site a few miles from Cavan town and adjacent to Lough Oughter.
       Its origins date back to the 6th century but little is known of the 6th century St Fethlimidh or of the churches built in the locality until the 12th century. In 1152 the first cathedral was built in the vicinty and then in 1452 the parish church of Kilmore became the cathedral.
      Following the Reformation in the 16th century it continued as a cathedral for the Church of Ireland (i.e. essentially the same as Anglican)

    The present Cathedral was started in 1858 and was completed in 1860, replacing an earlier building which is now used as a parochial hall. The most famous feature of the Cathedral is the 12th century Romanesque doorway built into the outside wall of the vestry door and is a fine example of architecture of the Irish Middle Ages ( I believe the door was originally from a church on Trinity Island, Lough Oughter)

            Kilmore Cathedral from the rear showing its Middle Pointed Gothic style architecture.(photographs taken 1/5/2001)

                                               a)                                                                                                     b)

                       a) Kilmore Cathedral from the front                                       b) Kilmore Cathedral from the near-by road

     
 a)                                                                                                 b)

       a) the 12th century door                                           b) detail from the arch which has become eroded with time

   Kilmore cathedral in common with a lot of Protestant churches in Ireland is having its finincial difficulties--it needs a new roof and extensive work needs to be done on the inside.

      If anyone would like to make a donation ,they would only be too glad to hear from you:--