St Patrick's Cathedral in Armagh reopened yesterday following a €9 million restoration project.
The reopening was marked by a rite of dedication at which the Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All-Ireland, Dr Seán Brady, officiated.
In his homily, Dr Brady recalled the cathedral's history, how its foundation stone was laid in 1840 and how during the famine, funds had to be diverted to relieve hunger. As a result the building wasn't completed until 1873.
"It is difficult for us to imagine and appreciate the generosity, the courage, the determination, the love, the hope and the faith that were poured into these very walls, walls built at a time when this country was on its knees in despair. What marvellous and generous people our ancestors were," he said.
"My hope today is that this restored and renovated cathedral will provide the inspiration for a profound renewal of faith for all who come to visit and worship here," he added.
The cathedral had been closed for 17 months during which time it was re-roofed, its stained glass windows and mosaics cleaned and restored, its Stations of the Cross, clock and 39 carillon bells repaired, and the sanctuary reordered. Among those who attended were the President, Mrs McAleese, her husband Dr Martin McAleese, and the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Mr Paul Murphy.
The Archbishop of Westminster, Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor, the Archbishop of Dublin, Cardinal Desmond Connell, the Archbishop of Tuam, Dr Michael Neary, Archbishop Mario Conti of Glasgow, and Archbishop Patrick Kelly of Liverpool also attended. Cardinal Egan of New York was represented by the cathedral rector, Mgr Eugene Clark. Church of Ireland Bishop of Clogher, Dr Michael Jackson, Dr John Dunlop of the Presbyterian Church and Dr Edmund Mawhinney of the Methodist Church were also present.
The Apostolic Nuncio to Ireland, Archbishop Giuseppe Lazzarotto, read a special message from Pope John Paul II in which the Pope referred to the restoration as of special significance. It was "a sign of the earnest desire for a revitalised church", he said.