Cathedral of the Assumption, Thurles

The Cathedral of the Assumption is a Catholic church in Thurles with Romanesque Revival architecture, its facade shaped by the design of Pisa's cathedral. The interior features marble columns from Cork, Galway, and Sicily that support the structure and define the space.

Construction began in 1861 under Archbishop Patrick Leahy, replacing an earlier chapel from 1807. The building was consecrated in 1879 by Archbishop Thomas Croke.

The cathedral reflects Italian Catholic connections through its design and materials, while the tabernacle that came from Rome speaks to the shared heritage between Irish and Italian faithful. These details show how this place served as a bridge between distant Catholic communities.

The building functions as the cathedral for the Archdiocese of Cashel and Emly and serves as the main church for the local community. Visitors can explore the interior at their own pace to view the architecture and details.

Eight bells cast in 1867 by Dublin bell founder John Murphy hang in the tower and are operated by hammers rather than the traditional method of change ringing. This unusual system gives the bell ringing a distinctive character.

Location: Thurles

Inception: 1879

Architects: James Joseph McCarthy

Architectural style: Romanesque Revival architecture

Website: http://homepage.tinet.ie/~cashelemly/cathedra.htm

GPS coordinates: 52.68016,-7.80890

Latest update: December 11, 2025 18:09