Friday, June 22, 2012

St. Patrick's Cathedral

This was the most amazing cathedral that I have seen to date. What exists today is the church after being rebuilt in the early 13th century, after the Normans built a stone church on the site in 1191.
St. Patrick is supposed to have baptised converts to Christianity at a well that was in the park outside. Because of the connection to St. Patrick a church has existed on the site since the 5th century. It is said that "the Cathedral is not a museum of the past, but a building embracing the past to herald the future" - I like that because I think so much can be gained from looking at the past, in so many ways. What struck me were the displays that referenced past wars. I have never seen anything like it in a church. The flags were dirty and tattered and the tour guide for the Cathedral told us that they are hesitant to take them down to clean them because "an old soldier never dies, he just fades away". It was amazing to see.









Josh, what are you looking at?





The stone from St. Patrick's Well



Normally the crypt outside was off limits for tours, but Kay got a nice gentleman to let us out of the Cathedral and into the graveyard....amazing! Thank you Kay!!








The biggest Irish High Cross in the crypt!

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