St Mary's Church of Ireland Cathedral, Limerick - Buildings of Ireland

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Construction on St. Mary's Cathedral started in the 12th century, and was completed around 1194. The full title of this Cathedral is the "Cathedral and Parochial Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary". It was started in 1172 by Donal Mor O'Brien, the last King of Munster. The design has strong indications of both Romanesque and gothic styles of architecture with Romanesque arches and doorways and gothic windows. The cathedral is not pure in any one style, with the plan and elevation giving the impression of the design being altered in the course of construction. The original plan of the church was in the form of a Latin cross. Additions were made to the Cathedral, two centuries later, during the episcopate of Stephen Wall, Bishop of Limerick. The Romanesque doorway on the west side is an impressive carving of chevrons and patterns. Like many medieval churches in Ireland, the building has been heavily 'restored' by the Victorians. The interior of the cathedral demonstrated the huge depth of the walls.