Cathedral of the Assumption, Carlow

The Cathedral of the Assumption is the cathedral church of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Kildare and Leighlin located in Carlow town. The cathedral was dedicated to the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in 1833. It is known for its beautifully detailed 151ft spire which is one of the highest points in town.Architect Thomas Cobden, designer of much of the adjacent college, designed the cathedral. it was the second Catholic cathedral built in Ireland after Catholic Emancipation, after the Catholic Cathedral in Waterford. The tower and lantern was inspired by the Cloth Hall in Bruges, Belgium, building commenced on the cathedral 7 April 1829. Opposite the cathedral is a much larger, St. Mary's Church (Church of Ireland) which was built to be a Catholic church. The Cathedral is built beside St. Patrick's, Carlow College the former seminary of the Diocese, many students from the college were ordained in the cathedral.Controversy over Changes to the AltarA parishioner took action in the Supreme Court against the Cathedral Administrator, Father John Byrne, and the trustees of the Diocese of Kildare and Leighlin in 1996 to prevent the re-ordering of the interior in line with the changes recommended by the Second Vatican Council. The action was unsuccessful and the changes, including the removal of the altar rails and pulpit, went ahead.