St. Mary's Pro-Cathedral, Dublin
Because Dublin's two main cathedrals (Christ Church and St. Patrick's) belong to the Protestant Church of Ireland, St. Mary's Pro-Cathedral (known affectionately as "the Pro") is the closest the Catholics get to having their own.
St. Mary's Pro-Cathedral (meaning "acting cathedral") is not an official cathedral because it has not been appointed so by the pope.
Back when Christ Church Cathedral was built, the pope consecrated it as the Catholic cathedral of Dublin. Although that church has been in the hands of Protestants for centuries, no pope has ever revoked the original designation of Christ Church as Dublin's cathedral.
St. Mary's Pro-Cathedral was built between 1815 and 1825 on the site of a 12th-century Cistercian Abbey of St. Mary.
The cathedral is in the Neo-Classic Doric style, which provides a distinct contrast to the Gothic Revival look of most other churches of the period. The exterior portico is modeled on the Temple of Theseus in Athens, with six Doric columns, while the Renaissance-style interior is patterned after the Church of St. Philip de Reule of Paris.
Tucked into a corner of a rather unimpressive back street, St. Mary's is in the heart of Dublin's north side and functions as the main Catholic parish church of the city center. The church is noted for its Palestrina Choir, which sings a Latin Mass every Sunday at 11am.
Map
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Quick Facts
| Location: | Cathedral and Marlborough Sts., Dublin 1 |
| Phone: | 01/874-5441 |
| DART: | Connolly |
| Bus: | 28, 29A, 30, 31A, 31B, 32A, 32B, or 44A |
| Hours: | Mon-Fri 8am-6pm; Sat-Sun 8am-7pm |
| Cost: | Free |
Sources
- St. Mary's Pro-Cathedral - Official Website
- Frommer's Ireland 2005
