St. John's Cathedral, Limerick (must see)

Saint John's Cathedral is a Roman Catholic Church designed by architect Philip Charles Hardwick. The cathedral was completed in 1858, replacing a chapel of 1753. The church tower is 266 feet high, 105 feet higher than the original design called for. The tower was considered one of the tallest structures in Ireland when the cathedral was built.

Hardwick favored a Gothic Revival architectural style for his design. The building, faced with limestone, is minimalist in external decoration. The windows are small, and there is only one statue on the facade. The tower and spire are a bit more lavish. The most recent restorations were to the roof and outside stonework in 2004.

The bishop's chair was carved in Munich in 1894. The chair sits in the center of the apse, framed by the high altar. The altar is of Limerick marble, underlaid with alabaster and colored marble. An alabaster sculpture depicts the sacrifice of Abraham.

Saint John's Cathedral is located at Cathedral Place, not far from King John's Castle, the Treaty Stone, and the English Town district of Limerick.