Dreaming Spires

Dreaming Spires

21 Dec 1979

A view from St. Michael’s Close, Dublin, of the Minot tower and spire of St. Patrick’s Cathedral, so named because the tower was built by Archbishop Thomas Minot. Dean Swift’s good taste later averted a proposal to put a brick spire on top of the tower. The present spire bring the height of the cathedral to about 240 feet, but its great height is hidden by the fact that the Cathedral stands below street level.

Actually it is built beside the underground River Poddle, and there is water a mere seven feet under its floor. The reason for this overtly unsuitable site being chosen is that it is the location of a holy well traditionally linked with St. Patrick. The original Wicklow oak floors in the tower have been replaced by concrete. The tower bore one of Dublin’s first three public clocks, put up on the orders of Queen Elizabeth the First.

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