St Brigid’s Cathedral is a cathedral in the village of Kildare, located in Market Square. This magnificent 13th-century building has a standard Latin cross floor plan. If the outside looks nice, it’s nothing compared to the inside! The program features stained-glass windows, subdued lighting and characterful stones!
Kildare Cathedral was built in 1223 as a tribute to an Irish saint: Saint Brigid. Set on a green hillside, St Brigid’s Cathedral is set in beautiful natural surroundings overlooking the rest of the city. The building was commissioned by Bishop Norman Ralph. Its architecture is profoundly Gothic, but the building was not built solely as a place of worship. The cathedral was also built as a place of protection for the people of Kildare in the event of an enemy attack from the Anglo-Normans.
The Irish Confederate Wars partially destroyed the cathedral, which fell into disuse by the end of the 13th century. It wasn’t until the 14th century that the cathedral was renovated, to welcome back the population of Kildare.
St Brigid’s Cathedral is open to visitors. You’ll be able to enter this haven of peace, where silence and subdued lighting make it one of the most authentic places in the world! Possibility of taking photos in exchange for a small donation… (A common practice in Ireland).