St Eugene's Cathedral, Derry/Londonderry
St Eugene's Cathedral, Derry/Londonderry
St Eugene’s Cathedral on Creggan Street, Derry, is the Grade B+ Gothic Revival seat of the Catholic Diocese of Derry, designed by James Joseph McCarthy, opened in 1873, with a later spire by Edward J. Toye, and consecrated in 1936.
- Location
- Derry/Londonderry, County Derry
- Country
- Northern Ireland
- County
- County Derry
- City / town
- Derry/Londonderry
- Address
- Creggan Street, Derry/Londonderry, County Derry, BT48 9AP
- Postcode
- BT48 9AP
- Built
- 1849–73; spire 1900–03
- Consecrated
- 21 April 1936
- Architect
- James Joseph McCarthy; spire by Edward J. Toye
- Denomination
- Catholic Church
- Dedication
- Eugene
- Diocese
- Derry
- Parish
- Templemore
- Grade
- B+
- Style
- Gothic Revival
- Materials
- Coursed squared Derry schist with Mourne granite and Giffnock sandstone dressings
- Grid reference
- C 430 171
- Opening hours
- Mass and arranged times only.
- Access
- Accessible toilets in church. Accessible toilets nearby. Level access to the main areas. Non-accessible toilets in church
Overview
The Northern Ireland Buildings Database records the cathedral (HB01/21/001, Grade B+). Fundraising began in 1840 after Catholic Emancipation; the foundation stone was laid in 1849; McCarthy designed a neo-Gothic aisled church with a west tower. The building was completed at a cost of about £40,000 and ceremonially opened by Bishop Francis Kelly on 4 May 1873. Furnishings, pulpit and font were by Earley & Powells of Dublin. Mayer & Co. of Munich supplied stained glass for aisles, side chapels and chancel between 1880 and 1902.
The original church lacked a spire. Work on the bell tower and spire began in 1900 to Toye’s designs, with Courtney and Co. of Belfast as contractors; the 256-foot spire, topped by a granite cross, was complete by Christmas Eve 1902 (Wikipedia gives completion as 19 June 1903). Wikipedia records consecration on 21 April 1936. Stone Database NI notes Derry schist with Mourne granite and Giffnock sandstone. Listing URLs for Northern Ireland are not used in the Gazette list-entry field.