Built between 1843 and 1857 amidst the Great Famine, St Mary’s Cathedral in Kilkenny houses a number of notable statues, mosaics, and the relics of Saints Clement, Cosmos, and Damien. The Sacred Heart Altar, statue, and altar rails are credited to the Marble Works of James Pearse, father of Padraig Pearse, a leader in the 1916 Rebellion.
Meanwhile, the most unusual feature is the wax-encased relics of Saint Victoria which are on display in the side altar. The story goes that sisters Victoria and Anatolia were arranged for marriage to noble Roman non-Christians. The sisters refused to wed and devoted their lives to God. Their angry suitors had them tortured in hopes of breaking their faith. Refusing to worship idols, the sisters were executed. Their guard, so moved by their example, converted before he too was executed. Legend states Victoria’s executioner was immediately struck with leprosy and died six days later, eaten by worms. The entire story of St Victoria is suspected to be pious myth.
St Victoria’s wax-encased bones and a chalice of her blood were a gift from the Pope in 1845 in honor of the consecration of St Mary’s Cathedral.
- Official Website: www.ossory.ie
- National Inventory of Architectural Heritage: St Mary’s Cathedral
Written by Corey Taratuta
Corey hosts the Irish Fireside podcast and blog which has been named Best Blog of the Diaspora by the Irish Web Awards. His work has appeared on Google Field Trip, www.Lonely Planet.com, National Public Radio, www.WanderingEducators.com, www.BritMums.com, www.DiscoveryWorld.org, and elsewhere. His web community has been named finalist for the People’s Choice Podcast Awards and Irish Blog Awards, and his Irish travel program has ranked in the iTunes Top 50 Travel Podcasts. Corey’s Tips | Website
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