St Fin Barre's Cathedral

St Fin Barre is the patron saint of Cork who founded a monastery in 606AD on the boggy marshland which became Cork City. He also established a renowned monastic school and placed a strong emphasis on education.

Fin Barre died in 632AD and is said to have been buried in the graveyard on the grounds of this Anglican cathedral, which is just up the road from my old secondary school.

The medieval cathedral was torn down in 1865 and replaced with this impressive structure. The cathedral, including its sculpture, mosaics, furniture and metalwork, was designed entirely by an architect named William Burges. The cathedral is built of Cork limestone, the interior of Bath stone and the walls are lined with red Cork marble.

My favourite part of the cathedral is the golden angel which is perched on top of the sanctuary, carrying two trumpets. Known as the Resurrection Angel, she is made from copper covered in gold leaf, and was presented as a gift from the architect.

If you catch her in just the right light, she is so beautiful.