Madam, - I am writing to inform readers, especially in the city of Waterford, that Cashel, too has a Georgian cathedral. There seems to be a misunderstanding as to the number of Georgian Cathedrals in Ireland. There are two such buildings, one in Cashel and another in Waterford.
Recently your newspaper, which I enjoy and read almost daily, gave the impression that the Church of Ireland cathedral in Waterford is unique within Georgian architecture in the Church of Ireland. It is a fine cathedral in a very important city, but the Georgian Cathedral of St John the Baptist and St Patrick's Rock, Cashel, was completed and opened for worship in 1784. It directly succeeds the Rock of Cashel cathedral.
Furthermore, when visiting the Georgian Cathedral in Cashel, it is worthwhile dropping in to the Diocesan Library, (G.P.A. Bolton Library) to see pre-Georgian history and the fascinating collection associated with Archbishop Bolton and Archbishop King.
Beyond the library are the old city walls dating to the 1300s; but without a shadow of doubt the cathedral stands as a Georgian structure. Because of Waterford's cathedral it isn't unique. It is simply another Georgian cathedral, in the custodial care of the Church of Ireland. - Yours, etc.,
Very Rev Dr
PHILIP KNOWLES,
Dean of Cashel and Curator
of the Bolton Library,
Cashel,
Co Tipperary.