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| THE CATHOLIC CATHEDRAL, ARMAGH. -The old Catholic Cathedral of Armagh, built on the site of King Brian Boru's grave, and restored by the late Archbishop, Most Rev. John G. Beresford, for the use of the Protestants of Armagh, having passed into English hands at the time of the Reformation, the Catholics of the primal archdiocese have erected, in recent years, the splendid edifice, called St. Patrick's Cathedral, shown in the accompanying sketch. Although modern, it is sufficiently imposing, both in width, height, and design, and it is superbly finished interiorly. Armagh was the chosen see of St. Patrick, if tradition may be relied upon; but some historians, cleric and lay, hold that Downspatrick held the first place in the affections of the great apostle of Ireland. The city was plundered and burned by the Danes, during their warfare of three centuries against the Irish people and the Christian religion. The English occupied it in Elizabeth's reign, but they were driven out of it by the indomitable Shane O'Neill, the Proud, who set the entire place on fire, and even the grand old cathedral was destroyed. Archbishop Loftus exommunicated O'Neill, but as the latter did not regard the prelate as a good Irishman, he was not much affected by the decree. Both the Catholic and Protestant Archbishops of Armagh bear the title of "Primate of All Ireland." The Catholic Archbishop is his Eminence, Cardinal Logue. |
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