With a solemn ceremony, in the presence of Irish President Mary McAleese, St. Patrick’s cathedral in Armagh was reopened on Sunday 25 May, after a restoration lasting 17 months. The ceremony was officiated by the archbishop of Armagh and Primate of all Ireland Seàn Brady who thanked all the priests and faithful of the archdiocese: “I wish to thank you for your dedication. I am happy because this restored cathedral may become a sign of a renewed community”. The work of restoration, funded in part by the contributions of the faithful in the parishes of the archdiocese, especially involved the roof and the cleaning of the mosaics, stained glass and exterior fabric. The Stations of the Cross and the famous bell with its 39 carillons were also restored. The restoration also permitted architectural barriers to be removed to help the handicapped and the installation of new power and central heating systems. The history of the cathedral of Armagh began around the year 445, when, according to tradition, St. Patrick built a stone church on the hill known as Druim Saileach (the hill of the willow), and ordered that it should have primacy over all the churches of Ireland. It still maintains that position today. The last major restoration dates back to 1840.
