DUBLIN CHURCHES.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XIII, Issue 13, 17 July 1885, Page 13

DUBLIN CHURCHES.

One of the rarest of the visitors' treats in Dublin, says a recent tourist, will be the churches. Of the ancient churches to be visited: the two chief are Christ Church and St. Patrick s. Apart from their - intrinsic beauty, the history of these and the proof they give of what . Catholicity and architecture must have been in Dublin eight centuries ago, are matters ot great valuejand interest. It is enough to mention of Christ Church that St. Patrick said Mas* in it ; that it was there Lambert Simnel was crowned ; that for some time the Irish Parliament assembled within its walls ; and that Skrongbow's tomb is preserved there to the present day. Through the munificence of Mr. Hoe, the distiller, this cathedral has been completely restored. Among the additions to its internal beauties is a splendid rood screen. Mr, Roe has also built a synod bouse in the style of the church, which is reached from the latter by, an effective covered bridge spanning Michael's Hill. St. Patrick's Cathedral owes its restoration to the liberality of aucher eminent member of tha liquor trade, tho late Sir Benjamin Lee Guinness. This church was consecrated by Archbishop Comyn in the teiith century. Its interior is very beautiful and vast. The ancient crypt, under the south aisle of the nave, which was probably the original seat of the Dublin University in the earlier part ot the fourteenth century, should be seen. In St. Patrick's are preserved many battletorn military flags and trophies and relics ; and among the mural tablets are two commemorative of Dean Swift and Stella. Pamphlet descriptions of both these churches are to be had from the vergers at the gates. Of course, the principal of the modern Catholic churches will be visited by most strangers in. Dublin these weeks — all tue ancient ones, which were Catholic, too, being now, as the Americans would say, '• worked " in the Protestant interest. The Catholic churches of our city are, with scarce an I exception, exceedingly beautiful, each in its different way, and are a wonderful testimony to the status of the faith in the capital of Ireland. It would be almost invidious to mention any, where all have such attractions, and where all are so easily accessible, without the help tbat we cau give. But we may allude at least to the Mission Fathers' Church, Phibsborough ; the Pro-Cathedral, Marlborougu street ; St. Francis Xavier or the Jesuit Church in Upper Gardiuer street ; the Passiomsts' Church at Mount Argus, Harold's cross ; St. Andrew's, Westland row, and St. John's, Berkeley street, as among the noteworthy ; while undoubtedly the prettiest church, as far as decoration is concerned, is St. Alphonsns', Drutncondra. There are a few old churches in Dublin which the patriot should visit for their sacred associations. In St. Werburgh's in Werburgh street, one of the most popular of the city temples in old days, Lord Edward Fitzgerald is buried. His body was laid here, nuder the chancel, one night in 1798. By a singular stroke of the irony of fate, Major Sirr, his capturer, is buried in St. Werburgh'd church-yard, and the two fierce combatants, having been laid low by the great leveller, sleep their last sleep almost side by side in the same clay to-day. In the vaults of St. Michan's Church in Church s reec, lie the boues of the brothers John and Henry riheares, and in its grave-yard is the tomb of Dr. Lucas. There are very peculiar properties, by the way, attached to the vaults of this church, attributed to their dry state, of presery-., ing the bodies interred in them, and several bodies buried there many years ago, still in a perfect state of preservation, are a very curious sight. While on the subject of tombs, it should be noted that Thomas Davis lies in Mount St. Jerome, the fine Protestant cemetery of the city, and that a handsome monument is erected over the grave, which forms one of the cemetery's chief attractions. It is worthy of mention, too, that Mrs. Hemans, the poetess, is buried in St. Anne's Church, in Dawson street.