St. Eugene’s Cathedral is the Mother Church of the Derry Diocese, which stretches from Malin Head to Omagh and from Killygordon to Bellaghy. Thousands of Catholic people come to the Cathedral to worship God.
St. Eugene’s was built in the 19th Century, following the Catholic Emancipation Act of 1829, and was opened on the 4th May 1873 by Bishop Kelly, in the presence of Cardinal McGettigan and all the Catholic Bishops of the North. The sacred vessels used that day are still in the Cathedral.
The Cathedral is a “Decorated Gothic” building. This is well exemplified in the western tower and spire, the high nave ridge, the relatively low lean-to aisle roofs, the dropping of the ridge line over the chancel and the slight projection of the east gable beyond the aisles. The building has many decorative features including stonework, pinnacles and statues.
On passing through the entrance doors, the visitor is struck by the artistic beauty of the interior. It is in keeping with the Cathedral’s outward imposing and beautiful appearance. The plan of St. Eugene’s is a simple one of neo-gothic expression and there are many highlights including stained glass windows and an impressive marble and granite main altar.
Please report to the cathedral office when you arrive to collect your MP3s and begin your tour.
The Walled City
