Serenity and Splendour
A living place of worship, a testament to Limerick’s fascinating past and a continuing tradition of choral music splendour. Saint Mary’s Cathedral is part of the fabric of ‘The Treaty City’ and means so much to so many.
To explore our majestic building is to journey through time back to 1168 when the Cathedral was founded, making it the oldest building in the city that remains in continuous daily use. Many also believe the site of the Cathedral was once a Viking Thingmote or ‘meeting place’.
Saint Mary’s Cathedral was built on King’s Island on the site of a palace gifted to the church by Donal Mór O’Brien, the last King of Munster and descendant of Brian Boru. It is believed that Saint Mary’s Cathedral’s Romanesque portal comes from the palatial home of the O’Brien family.
What Makes Saint Mary’s Special?
Our Purpose and Mission
The Charitable purpose of Saint Mary’s Cathedral, Limerick of the Church of Ireland is the advancement of religion. Our principal function is to support the furthering of the Christian religion by promoting, through our work, the whole mission of the Church, pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical.
We are committed to being open to and engaging with society as a whole and offer support to those needing help. This is fundamental to the practical delivery of the benefits of Christianity.
Saint Mary’s Cathedral, Limerick has custody of property, records, materials and artefacts of cultural and religious significance, all of which are maintained by the Cathedral.
Our Values
As the mother church of the diocese of Limerick within the Church of Ireland, a province of the Anglican communion, Saint Mary’s values are based on the Communion’s Five Marks of Mission. These express the Communion’s common commitment to and understanding of God’s holistic and integral mission:
- To proclaim the Good News of the Kingdom;
- To teach, baptise and nurture new believers;
- To respond to human need by loving service;
- To transform unjust structures of society, to challenge violence of every kind and pursue peace and reconciliation;
- To strive to safeguard the integrity of creation, and sustain and renew the life of the earth.
Dean: The Very Rev’d Niall J.W. Sloane
Dean’s Vicar: VACANT
Curate’s Assistant: VACANT
Diocesan Readers: Mr. Oliver Deegan & Mr Andrew Ellerker
Parish Reader: Mr. Tony O’Connell
Organist: Mr. Peter Barley
Organ Scholar: Ms. Irina Dernova
Caretaker & Tourism Officer: Ms. Noreen Ellerker
Cathedral Secretary: VACANT
Dean’s Verger: Ms. Kariba Braide
Tower Captain: Ms. Adrienne McMillen
Dean of Limerick: The Very Rev’d Niall J.W. Sloane
Dean of Killaloe: The Very Rev’d Dr Richard Marsh
Archdeacon of Limerick: The Ven. Simon J. Lumby
Archdeacon of Killaloe: The Ven. John M. Godfrey
Precentor: The Very Rev’d Lynda E.A. Peilow
Chancellor: The Rev’d Michael R. Cavanagh
Treasurer: The Rev’d Jane A. Galbraith
Prebend of St Munchin’s & Tulloh: The Rev’d James C. Stephens
Prebend of Inniscattery: The Rev’d Kevin M. O’Brien
Prebend of Athnett: The Very Rev’d Diane M. Matchett
The Bishop of Tuam, Limerick and Killaloe
The Right Reverend Michael Burrows was elected Bishop in January 2022 and was ordained in 1987 after graduating from Trinity College Dublin. He initially served as Curate of Douglas with Frankfield, in the Diocese of Cork, Cloyne and Ross (1987-1991) and became Chaplain of Trinity College Dublin (1991-1994). During this time the Right Reverend was also a Lecturer in Church History and Liturgy at the Church of Ireland Theological College. He returned to Cork, Cloyne and Ross as Rector of Bandon (1994-2002) before becoming Dean of Cork and Incumbent of St Fin Barre’s (2002-2006).
The Right Reverend was elected Bishop of Cashel, Ferns and Ossory in March 2006 and consecrated as bishop in Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin. He is Chair of the Church of Ireland’s Commission for Christian Unity and Dialogue, Chair of the Board of Governors of the Anglican Centre in Rome, Co-Chair of the Church of Ireland-Methodist Covenant Council, and Patron of the Irish Guild of the Church (Cumann Gaelach na hEaglaise). Bishop Burrows is married to Claire with four grown-up children and is a keen railway enthusiast and organist.
The Diocese of Tuam, Limerick and Killaloe
The Anglican Diocese of Tuam, Limerick and Killaloe is part of the Church of Ireland and the worldwide Anglican Communion. The Diocese offers so much to those who live here or visit – from the quiet beauty of forests and mountains and spectacular wild Atlantic coastline to busy seaside towns and city attractions. In all corners of the Diocese, you will find the Anglican community – bearing witness to the one God, Father Son and Holy Spirit, who creates and redeems all things.
We’d love to see you at one of our events or for Sunday worship. We guarantee a very warm welcome.
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