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| SUB-ALTERS, TUAM CATHEDRAL, CO. GALWAY. -The accompanying sketch shows a portion of the highly finished interior of the magnificent Catholic Cathedral of Tuam, county Galway, dating from 1823 and standing near the site of the abbey which St. Jarlath is said to have converted into a cathedral early in the sixth century. It is claimed, however, by the Episcopalians of Tuam, that their cathedral, restored some years ago under supervision of a Dublin gentleman, named Deane, really occupies the original site. The western doorway of this edifice is a survival of the structure founded by Turlough O'Connor, King of Connaught, in 1140. This fact is recorded on an ancient cross of red sandstone, elaborately carved, which, although broken during the troublous times of by-gone ages into many parts, has been re-united by cement, and now stands near the restored cathedral, to which it formerly belonged. The main and side altars of the Catholic Cathedral are objects of admiration to all visitors, as they are models of Italian art in carving and finish. In the pulpit of this cathedral, the great John of Tuam-Ireland's most renowned modern Archbishop-was accustomed to address his people first in Irish, which all of them understood, and next in English, which some of them did not understand, during his long and glorious incumbency of the archiepiscopal chair. |
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