Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Sligo, Catholic cathedral in Sligo, Ireland.
The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception stands on Temple Street, built to a design by George Goldie in a Normano-Romano-Byzantine style, the only Romanesque-style cathedral raised in the 19th century. It is laid out as a basilica, with a square, pyramid-capped tower 70 metres high and supporting turrets at the west end. A circular baptistery, first planned as a mortuary chapel, sits in the apse behind the high altar, lit by five lancet windows.
Bishop Laurence Gillooly, appointed to Elphin in 1858, judged the diocese large and wealthy enough to replace St. John's Parish Chapel, the pro-cathedral, and commissioned George Goldie. The cathedral opened for worship on 26 July 1874, consecrated by Cardinal Paul Cullen of Dublin.
The cathedral is the seat of the Diocese of Elphin, whose bishop Laurence Gillooly commissioned it to replace St. John's Parish Chapel, previously the pro-cathedral. Its dedication to the Immaculate Conception is recalled in the name. The circular baptistery in the apse, with five lancet windows behind the high altar, was first planned as a mortuary chapel.
The building is located on Temple Street and is easily accessible on foot from the town center. It accommodates around 1400 people and welcomes visitors during its open hours throughout the week.
The circular baptistery set into the apse, behind the high altar with its five lancet windows, was first planned as a mortuary chapel. The cathedral is also the only Romanesque-style cathedral built in the 19th century, modelled on a Normano-Romano-Byzantine style.
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