Designed by William Burges, the present Saint Fin Barre's is one of the most coherent examples of Victorian church archtecture in Western Europe.
The Present Cathedral (Consecrated 1870)
Willliam Burges was appointed architect for a new
cathedral in 1862, after a competition for which there were 63 entries.
Among the requirements of the competition was that the cost of the
building should not exceed £15,000 and Burges was criticised
by other architects because the cost of the towers, spires and carving
was not included in his estimate. In the end some £100,000
was spent on the building.
William Burges
In 1865 the foundation stone was laid by Bishop John
Gregg and on St. Andrew's Day,1870, the building was consecrated.
The towers and spires were not completed until 1879. The cathedral
is built of Cork limestone and the interior of Bath stone and the
walls are lined with red Cork marble.
Laying of the foundation stone 12th January 1865
Burges drew up an overall iconographic scheme for the cathedral
windows, and maintained control over all the stages of the work.
He also designed all the sculpture, mosaics, furniture and metalwork.
Thus the Cathedral preserves a remarkable unity of style throughout.
The Resurrection Angel on the pinnacle of the sanctuary roof was
a gift from Burges to the Cathedral. It is made from copper and
covered with gold leaf.
