Cathedral of Our Lady Assumed into Heaven and St Nicholas, Galway
Galway Cathedral ( Cathedral of the Assumption of Mary and St. Nicholas, English Cathedral of Our Lady Assumed into Heaven and St. Nicholas, Irish Ard- na Eaglais Mhaighdean Deastógála agus San Nioclás ) is the bishop's church of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Galway and Kilmacduagh in the Irish city of Galway. The construction was started in 1958. On August 15, 1965, the cathedral was consecrated by Cardinal Richard Cushing.
History
Since 1484 the collegiate church of St. Nicholas in Galway was equipped with quasi- episcopal rights. In the 16th century saw the English royal house in Ireland by the Reformation. The Catholic faith could only be practiced in the underground. It was not until the mid-18th century, this prohibition has been relaxed and the Catholic community could build a small parish church in the Middle Street. With the establishment of the Diocese of Galway in 1831 the parish church was raised to the Prokathedrale. But could be started only 120 years later after a long accumulation and saving with the construction of the representative cathedral. Pope Pius XII. personally took share in the planning.
Architecture
Galway Cathedral is in the form of a classical basilica on cross floor plan. The portal is flanked by two small bell towers, rises above the crossing a powerful octagonal dome. Characteristic of the exterior and interior impression is the gray-black unrendered stone. Nave and choir cover flat coffered barrel vault.
The cathedral is influenced by several architectural styles: Romanesque (design and arcs), Byzantine Architecture ( dome and mosaics) and Gothic ( rosettes ).
Organ
The organ in the west gallery was built in 1966 by the organ builder Rushworth & Dreaper (Liverpool ) and reorganized 2006-2007 by the Irish organ-builder Trevor Crowe. The instrument has 59 stops on three manuals and pedal. The Spieltrakturen are electro- pneumatic, the Registertrakturen are electric.
- Couplers: I / II, III / I, III / II; I / P, II / P III / P