19th century St Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin

celtic cross discovered near church in 19th century.



bronze statue of sir benjamin lee guinness john henry foley, erected in 1875.

by 1805, north transept in ruins , south transept in poor condition; urgent work carried out nave roof, held scaffolding.

in 1846, post of dean of saint patrick s united of dean of christ church, situation lasted in law until 1872.

an attempt @ major restoration began under direction of dean pakenham (dean, 1843–1864), limited poor economic circumstances. lady chapel restored, floor (then raised several metres) reduced original level , other urgent matters @ least partly addressed.

in mid-19th century, celtic cross found buried near cathedral. has been preserved , thought may have marked site of former holy well.

the major reconstruction, paid benjamin guinness, in 1860–65, , inspired fear cathedral in imminent danger of collapse, means of current building , decoration dates victorian era; medieval chantries removed among other actions, , few records of work survive today.

though rebuilding ensured survival of cathedral, failure preserve records of scale of rebuild means little known how of current building genuinely mediæval , how victorian pastiche. sir benjamin s statue jh foley outside south door. son arthur (also brewer) came in humorous gentle criticism when donated stained glass window of rebecca @ ; motto read: thirsty , ye gave me drink . in 1901 son edward created adjacent st patrick s park area of decrepit housing, , donated new set of bells cathedral.

the other great change cathedral occurred in 1871 when, following disestablishment of church of ireland, newly independent church @ general synod resolved 2 cathedral issue, making christ church sole , undisputed cathedral of dublin diocese , st patrick s national cathedral.