The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1880-02-25
DUBLIN'S ANCIENT CHURCHES.
now They We're Restored Through the Lib
~ erality Of Wealthy Brewers. . "a.

/ = O1I.I1',L LIN > ANClENTCHU
no" they We're Restored Through the Lib
crafty Of Wealthy Brewers. al
one day, in April, 1878, / stood at the
corner OF Werburgh and Castle streets.
Duolln, and watched with interest the
demohtlon OF the dilapldated east wing
OF the old Church of the Holv Trinity.
wherein lies the dust of Stronobow and
the remains of many distinguished eclesi-
astlcs, and from whose pulpit the Estah-
lished Religion and Liturgy were first
| announced Oh Easter SUNDAY. 155O The
common name of the edifce is "Christ
Church. The church was founded by
Sltrlc, King of the Danes, with the aid Of
Donat, Bishop Of Dublin. There arc
TWO cathedrals in Dublin-the Holy
trinity and st. Patrick's BELONGING to
the Established Religion. The latter is
upon the site of the church said to have
been built by St. Patrick, and is the lare-
est and most imposing of all the eclesi-
astlcal edltices in the Irish capital. It
was elevated from a parochial to a cathe-
oral church in 100. There is no Catho-
nc cathedral in Dublin, nor a parish
church called after St. Patrick, notwith-
standing that there are ten Catholic par
ish churches and nine regular. St. Marv,s
III marlboro street, il called the Metro
poi1tan church, on account of its being
the one IN which the Archbishop offici-
ates. t- ->0-.' 80.
Twenty-Five years ago the successor of
ola Arthur Guinness, who, in the early
part OF this century commenced to man.
| fracture his famous Xxx porter, which
| mas gone round the world like the sons
OF the land in which it Is brewed, con-
celved the idea, after visiting the ancient
edlhce, to thoroughly renovate 1t. This
was Sir Benjamin Lee Guinness, Bart.
| who died in 1865 The cost of the un-
dertak1ng was 100000 Isl ,4S3 ,0O9). So
magnificently did the great brewer do
his work, that one who visited the envi-
rons thirty years ago and to day would
De surprised at the change.
Let us take glimpse at the interior OF
tne venerable fame, now that 1t has been
rehtted and rebuilt, almost. The ex-
treme length of the body of the building,
including the nave, choir and Lady
Chapel, is 800 feet; that of the transept,
100 teet, its breadth 60 feet; internal
length of the nave, choir, and Lady
Chapel respectively, 100, 80 and IS feet.
Inc nave, choir and transept are divided
into center and side aisles, which are
separated by series Of low arches spring
ing from plain octagonal and also clus-
teled columns, with rich capitals; and
over the arcade in the centers trlforia are
carried around. Above these rise the
clerestories. The ceiling of the nave is
open, that of the choir is groined. The
banners etc., Of the living knights of st.
Patrick are only displayed in the choir.
A quarter of mile from St. Patrick
Cathedral, on the high ground which
runs from the cast OF High Street to the
west of Castle Street, and fanked by
Michaels Hill on the east and Fisham-
BILE Street on the west, stands Christ
Church Cathedral (Church of the Holy
Trinity) 1t is built upon the brow of
the hill, recedes to the north 200 feet, and
IS (Was) the most picturesque of all the
old churches in Dublin. 1t was devoted
to deanery and chapter in 1541. Like
st Patrick's, this venerable munster was
Esutfered to get into state of decay, but
the deans did all they could to stay the
hand OF time. Among the many monu
ments the most beautiful IS that of Rob
ert Fitzgerald, nineteenth Earl of Kill
dare. Strongbow's bones lie there, sc
that veracious historian, Geraldus Cam
brinus informs us. This was the daring
representative ofEngland's King Henry
II. He married when in the autumn OF
life, the beautiful Eva the daughter Of
Dermod McMurrough.
The vaults are of great width an6
depth, and many story of how visitors
got lost in them and were never heard Of
any more, being eaten up by rats, while
away the long winter evening" rs at MANY s
Dublin Preside. One story remember
OF an officer, a Captain of infantry, VIII
visited the vaults with small dog. The
Captain got lost. When found only his
skeleton remained. His sword was
broken, hundreds of skeletons OF deac
rats lay near him, and the bones OF hi
faithful dog.
The finishing touch had not been ove1
ten years on st. Patrick's, when it wa
limited that rich merchant was about t.
renovate Christ Church. The rumor wa
true. Fifty years ago, few doors ives
OF Murphy's feather store, on the top foo
of which Lord Edward Fitzgerald secret
ed himself and from which he was take1
prisoner, George Roe commenced to dis
till whisky. For while the Father Math
ew temperance movement almost bank
rupted him; but he pulled through
and thirty years ago he was the SECOND
distiller, of whiskey in Ireland, Joh1
Jameson being first. He became very
wealthy man, and was elected Lord Nav
or of Dublin to succeed Daniel Come
in 1S43. Thirty years after he was Lore
Mayor he placed 100000 ($2,483,OOO
to the credit of the Dean, to be used il
the thorough renovation of the church
when the architect sent in his plans and
specifications it was found that it would
cost near 100000 to complete the work
"Go on then, sir; let it be e7OO,OOO,'
was the senumentious remark of the dis
tiller. Six years have been consumed
IN the work of restoration The mag
nlfcent interior and the stately exteri o,
are pronounced superior specimens Of
workmanship.
Rev. Phillip Brooks.