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| NEW CATHOLIC CATHEDRAL, KILKENNY.- The foregoing sketch pictures not the old St. Canice's Cathedral, of historic fame, but the superb new structure erected on a gentle eminence that commands a fine view of famed Kilkenny Town, the silvery Nore and the luxuriant woods out of which rise haughtily the majestic turrets of Kilkenny Castle, the palatial residence of the Marquis of Ormond-head of that great and anti-national family of "the Butlers of Ormond," who have played the ame part in Irish history that the Campbells of Argyle ahve played in the history of Scotland. For ages, these warlike Butlers were the sworn enemies of the chivalrous Geraldines of Kildare and Desmond. It is related that, on one occasion, an Earl of Desmond, wounded and a prisoner, was being borne to the Ormond stronghold by a party of the Butlers, who used a "litter" for the purpose. As they neared the place, the leader could not refrain from asking the captive the insulting question: "Where is the great Earl of Desmond now?" The indomitable Geraldine instantly replied: "Where he ought to be-still on the necks of the Butlers!" The Cathedral sketched by our artist is cruciform in shape and has an imposing, pinnacled tower, which is visible from a great distance, owing to the lofty site of the structure. The interior is richly finished, and the edifice is certainly among the finest of Ireland's Catholic cathedrals. The see is known as the Bishopric of Ossory. |
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