Appeal launched for St. Patrick’s Cathedral

Appeal launched for St. Patrick’s Cathedral

24 Mar 1972

ST. PATRICK’S Cathedral in from the 5th Century, and which has withstood the ravages of lime and even Cromwell, is now being attacked by a new and hidden enemy — pollution. Atmospheric pollution is penetrating the walls and stonework of the fine old building and playing havoc in particular with its plasterwork and ornamentation and water from the River Poddle which flows underground beneath it. In all, a total of £250,000 is required in order to put St. Patrick’s back in proper order again. ¦

For this reason, a national appeal has been launched by the Dean and Chapter of the Cathedral. A number of luncheons ._j .re being * held around the country, in an effort to explain to businessmen and people in public life the nature of the appeal, and the urgency of the need for funds ‘o carry out the renovation and restoration work. One such luncheon was held in Waterford on Tuesday last, and there, the _De-in of St. ‘ Patrick’s, Rt. Rev. Victor G. Dean Griffin explained what the appeal was all about.

NATIONAL

St. Patrick’s Cathedral, he said, was a national Cathedral with a link in every diocese in Ireland, both North and South. It had an important part to play in promoting mutual understanding and reconciliation between all irishmen, for it was the meeting place within its walls of the ethos ol both the Celtic and Anglo-Irish traditions. In this ecumenical age. we must work and pray for the time when St. Patrick’s would cease to belong exclusively to any one denomination, but would be shared by all the main Christian traditions in this island, thereby becoming a visible witness to ;>ur unity and brotherhood in Christ. The Choir of St. Patrick’s, heir of a long tradition of over 500 years was renowned for its singing, not only on Sundays but at the daily services throughout he week. Many visitors from near and far of all denominations, uplifted by the Choral services, constantly expressed their sense ol appreciation and gratitude. To have to curtail this centuries old witness to characteristic of Saint Patrick’s, due to lack of the necessary finance, would impoverish not only worship, but the Church and would remove from the life of the nation a tradition and all that it had meant for 500 years, thereby leaving us all the poorer.

St. Patrick’s, he added, had uu parishioners and therefore there was non-one to whom in particular they could appeal for help. They relied on the interest _und generosity of their friends Jnd well-wishers of all denominations everywhere.

BUILT ON SWAMP

The Cathedral, lying in the heart of the old city of Dublin, is built on low swampy ground. On this site it is believed that Saint Patrick baptised converts to the Christian faith. Because of its intimate association with St. Patrick, the church had stood there since the 5th century, in spite of the fact that it is a nightmare ‘or builders. Archbishop Comyn, the first English Archbishop of Dublin, made the church into a collegiate establishment in 1191 ” to encourage the study of religion and learning in Ireland,” and m 1213, under Henry the Londoner, Comyn’s successor, St. Patrick’s became a Cathedral. It has been a fortress, a prison, a Court of Law and a University. Court martials and councils of state have beep held there. Oliver Cromwell stabled his horses there. After the Restoration of 1660, at one service, twelve bishops were consecrated and the great Jeremy Taylor preached the sermon.

The Huguenots had the use of the Lady Chapel for worship from 1666 to 1816. and in 1690. alter the Battle of the Boyne, King William III attended a Thanksgiving Service. His general Schomberg, is buried in the Cathedral. Jonathan Swift was Dean of St. Patrick_’s from 1713-1745. His remains lie in the nave beside his beloved Stella, and the epitaph. which he himself wrote, cut in deep black

nearby. Memorials abound in [tie Cathedral, remaining of of our heritage. They include John Philpei Curran, lather of Sarah, the beloved of Robert Emmet; Carolan, the last of the old Irish bards ; the songwriter, Samual Love:; Lecky. the historian and Ualfc, the composer. The colours of many Irish regiments are also preserved in the Cathedral, and the banners of the Knights of Saint Patrick, an order of Chivalry founded in 1783.

ORGAN MASTERPIECE

The penl of eight bells installed in 1670 has been recast and enlarged through the years, and there are now fourteen bells in the ringing peal, the largest in this pan of the continent. The present massive Willis organ was built in 19dO2, an is considered to be Henry Wallis’ masterpiece.

In 1865, the generosity of Sir Benjamin Guinness saved the building from ruin. He not only completely restored the fabric but ensured that the original plan and design with its perfect symmetry, which had been obscured for centuries past would once again of evident. Thus the Cathedral as it now stands, preserves the mam architectural features of nearly 800 years ago.

A breakdown of the amount of money required for the restoration of the Cathedral is as follows: Cathedral Exterior, £60,000-. Interior, £40,000: Cathedral School £100,000: Organists and Lay Vicars Choral, £40,000; and the Deanery, £10,000.

The immediate target of the appeal is £250,000. which, the Architects and advisers have said, is the minimum amount which will be required. Already, there has been a generous response to the Cathedral appeal in Dublin, but as the Bishop of Cashel, Emly, Waterford and Lismore, Rt. Rev. Dr. John Ward Armstrong, said in Waterford on Tuesday, Dublin cannot be expected to foot the whole bill, for this one of our greatest national treasures.

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