"Grand cathedrals and architectural gems"

One of the great cathedrals of Ireland which is comparable with the great cathedrals of France like
Chartres, Notre Dame and so on is Cobh Cathedral. Dating from 1868, it is an example of neo-Gothic architecture at its finest - fine flying buttresses flanking the sides like ornate trimmings on a gregarious garment, pointed arched entrances - and is a product of a pupil of the famous architect Pugin - the architect Ashlin. Hence it is one of the great attractions and gems of Ireland.

Impressive facade of Cobh Cathedral

                                                                   Pointed Arches


Take a look at the capitals above the pillars both sides of the aisle and you'll see little carvings & depictions  of the Green Man symbolism. In this respect, it reminds me of that emigma and jewel of the world - Roslyn Chapel in Edinburgh, Scotland - and like those aforementioned grand cathedrals of France, in that it is a hybrid fusion of different influences and belief systems, encapsulated under one matrix. Although Saint Patrick's Cathedral in Dublin is the biggest church in Ireland and could claim as much right to being held aloft on a grandiose scale, it doesn't have that sense of 'As Above, so below', which Cobh has, in the tradition and paradigm of the Templar Cathedrals of France. For this reason, I believe it is the king of cathedrals in Ireland and is a wonder of Ireland's heritage.


ENIGMATIC AND SURREAL NOMENCLATURE

Perhaps its most striking and compelling characteristic is the depictions of swastikas engraved on the floor close to the entrance on the left hand side, as one goes in. This makes it not only an ecclesiastical and architectural gem of uniqueness but also an exemplar of places which had these much maligned geometric figures engrained in their vesture. As such, it is an invaluable relic in which to behold the true Swastika and power of its symbolism; mindful of the fact, that other places in Ireland that had Swastikas carved into their architecture have long since gone - Ballsbridge Laundry in Dublin, to cite but one case - the fact that this cathedral has Swastika carvings, means this is one place at least where they can still be beheld.

Swastikas carved in the tiled floor

In deep detail; a fine exemplar of these ancient symbols!

A relic of Ireland

Perhaps these Swastikas are above all what make Cobh Cathedral extra special and a totally unique place in Ireland; taking the cathedral out of the narrow lexicon of architectural and ecclesiastical heritage, into the broader domain of jewels and gems pertaining to many fields. It is a place that needs to be seen and makes one feel, one is in the domain of master craftsmen who have been continually crafting their wares since the dawn of time.