St Canice's Cathedral

St Canice 's Cathedral (English St. Canice 's Cathedral, Irish Ard- Eaglais Naomh Cainneach ) is the Episcopal Church of the Diocese of Ossory the Church of Ireland in Kilkenny. It goes back to a foundation by Canice ( 525-598 ), who was abbot of Aghaboe at the time. Starting with the Synod of Rathbreasail in 1111 Kilkenny is called as a bishop 's seat. Since the Reformation, the cathedral is no longer belongs to the Catholic Church. St Canice 's Cathedral has been used continuously since its construction in the 13th century; it is one of the most important medieval churches in Ireland.

Geographical location

The development of Kilkenny began on two surveys on the western side of the River Nore. The second highest mountain, north of the small side of the river Bregagh located, was destined for the Church founded by Canice. On the other hand, about 750 meters away, a hill lying on the west bank of the River Nore, where the Butler family built their castle. Thus were formed two city centers, with the Cathedral to the developing city was called Irishtown.

History

Born around 525 in Derry Canice (English: Canice ) was Pictish descent was, inter alia, of Finnian of Clonard and Cadoc made ​​in Wales. His most significant in his time was the founding of Aghaboe where for centuries a bishop 's seat should be in place before this went over to Kilkenny. Kilkenny, which takes its name from Cell Cainnigh translated " church of Canice " derives, goes back to a foundation of Canice, of which, however, no details have survived. Only the round tower dates from this early period and suggests that the community had monastic character.

The architectural history of the buildings built before the 13th century churches is not precisely known. Two fires from the years 1087 and 1114 have survived. Then there was a new building in the middle of the 12th century. On the solid foundation of this building earlier today still rests the choir.

1202 took over with Hugo de Rous the first Englishman to the bishopric. Shortly after taking office, he began preparing a new cathedral. The choir dates from his time in office. His successor, Hugh de Mapilton ( term 1251-1260 ) left the two transepts and build the side aisles of the choir. Under the third English bishop, Geoffrey St Leger ( term 1260-1287 ), the cathedral was completed.

On May 22, 1332 Church tower fell in on itself, destroying both the side chapels and the western side of the chancel. The accident occurred in the tenure of Bishop Richard Leatherhead (1317-1361), which began in 1354 with the restoration work. To avoid a repeat of the disaster, the new tower was built much lower, so that the tower preserved to this day 9 to 12 meters lower than its predecessor.

Severe damage suffered by the Church, as Oliver Cromwell's soldiers abused as a horse stable. In particular, all medieval stained glass windows were broken, whose beauty was previously documented several times and in 1645 the papal nuncio Archbishop Giovanni Battista Rinuccini persuaded to offer 700 pounds for it. 1660, the returning from exile Bishop Griffith Williams tried to first makeshift repairs that came in 1673 to a first degree.

Nevertheless, the church was in a dismal state, which deteriorated over time. This prompted the Bishop Richard Pococke ( 1756-1765 term ), make numerous changes, although they were more cosmetic than structural form. He followed a fashionable trend to bring classical style elements that stood in stark contrast to the Gothic architecture of the church.

Further work on the church followed until the mid- 19th century, when the tower roof was replaced. 1853 disappeared the wall that separated the choir from the nave. In the period from 1864 to 1870 was a first professional restoration under the direction of architect Thomas Newneham Deane, who had previously worked at the Cathedral of Tuam. He liked Gothic architecture and removed everything that bothered them. He also repaired the roof; However, should stop a few years, the changes made ​​by him. 1875 the glass of the east window was replaced, was being sought, true to style of the medieval church to adapt the stained glass. Other architects were George Edmund Street and in the 1890s Richard Langrishe, who took care of numerous interior work. In particular, the choir goes back to him.

Architecture

Before the 13th century there were no special architecture for episcopal churches in Ireland. In the 12th century Cistercian architecture dominated in Ireland. It was here that the most important surviving work of architecture in the 12th century with the monastery Jerpoint. Only with the English invasion of the role and importance of secular church was strengthened. Built in the early 13th century in Kilkenny Cathedral is the culmination of this trend, in which the secular bishops in Ireland reached a previously unknown abundance of power.

The floor plan of the cathedral is cruciform, with a tower over the crossing. On both sides of the nave are two aisles that are separated with five arcades. At the two transepts close each further out side chapels. Further inside each open access to the aisles of the choir, which does not extend to the east window over the entire length of the choir. This architecture is unique in Ireland. A certain model could have been the churches of the Cistercians with their transepts and side chapels. The Cistercians in Ireland, there was no side aisles with the choir since the instead were also drafted as side chapels of the transepts, as in Boyle.

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