Cathedral of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary and St Nathy, Ballaghaderreen

Ballaghaderreen Cathedral (Full title: The Cathedral Church of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary and St. Nathy) is the cathedral church of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Achonry. Located in Ballaghaderreen, County Roscommon in Ireland,[1] the cathedral was commissioned in 1855.

Ballaghaderreen Cathedral
Cathedral of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary and St Nathy
54°06′46″N 9°09′02″W
LocationBallaghaderreen, County Roscommon
CountryIreland
DenominationRoman Catholic
History
Consecrated1860
Architecture
StyleGothic Revival
Groundbreaking1855
Completed1860
Specifications
Length45.72 metres
Width17.9 metres
Height20.4 metres
Tower height59.6 metres
Administration
ProvinceTuam
ArchdioceseTuam
DioceseAchonry
Clergy
Bishop(s)Paul Dempsey

The cathedral, commissioned to be built by Bishop Patrick Durcan in the Gothic style, was begun in 1855 and completed in 1860. Durcan had come to the small diocese several years earlier and wanted a new Cathedral to meets the needs of the people of Ballaghaderreen.[2]

This initial part of the Cathedral consisted of an "eight-bay nave with clerestory and lean-to side aisles, a four-stage tower with spire to west, square-ended chancel to east with sacristy and mortuary chapel to north and south."[3]

The new Cathedral was consecrated and opened in November 1860.[4]

The bell tower of 59.6 meters with a needle and a carillon of bells and new sacristy were all added in 1912 by the project architect, William H. Byrne Irish. Because of its height, the body of the church in gray limestone seems small, but is 45.72 metres (150 feet) long, 17.9 metres (59 feet) wide and 20.4 metres (67 feet) high.[5]

The interior has a single nave. South of the west door is the baptismal font dating from around 1870.

21st century renovation

In August 2017 it was announced that the cathedral would close for six months to allow essential construction work on the listed building begin including repairs to the roof, pointing of stone and lighting as well as a heating upgrade. Weekday and Sunday Masses would be held in the chapel of St. Nathys College and funerals in other churches in the parish.

References
  1. "Cathedral of the Annunciation and St. Nathy, Ballaghaderreen, Roscommon (Ros Comáin), Ireland". www.gcatholic.org. Retrieved 12 September 2016.
  2. "Bishop Patrick Durcan [Catholic-Hierarchy]". www.catholic-hierarchy.org. Retrieved 30 July 2021.
  3. FUSIO. "The Annunciation and St. Nathy, Pound Street, Cathedral Street, BALLAGHADERREEN, Ballaghaderreen, ROSCOMMON". Buildings of Ireland. Retrieved 30 July 2021.
  4. "CO. MAYO, BALLAGHADERREEN, CATHEDRAL OF THE ANNUNCIATION & ST NATHY (RC, ACHONRY DIOCESE) Dictionary of Irish Architects -". www.dia.ie. Retrieved 30 July 2021.
  5. FUSIO. "The Annunciation and St. Nathy, Pound Street, Cathedral Street, BALLAGHADERREEN, Ballaghaderreen, ROSCOMMON". Buildings of Ireland. Retrieved 30 July 2021.

Bibliography
  • Peter Galloway, The Cathedrals of Ireland, The Institute of Irish Studies, The Queen's University of Belfast, 1992
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