Raphoe - Raphoe Cathedral

Raphoe Cathedral

St. Columcille and St. Eunan, ninth abbot of Iona, had churches at Raphoe in the 5h and 6th centuries. Several 9th century blocks of stone can be found in the porch and in the north wall of the present cathedral. The south-east corner dates from the 12th century. The latest building dates from the 1730s. The communion plate is also noteworthy. Notable bishops include Bishop George Montgomery, first Protestant bishop 1605-1610, a Scot, who was mainly involved in re-claiming church lands, and Bishop Andrew Knox 1611-1633, who set about repairing and rebuilding the cathedral. A stone inscribed “And. Knox II. Epi. Cura”, set in the porch, commemorates him. Bishop John Leslie had formerly been a soldier and had his own private army which he led into battle. Bishop Twysden, 1747–1753, spent little time in Raphoe but squandered the family fortune in London. Subsequently he was shot whilst in the act of robbing a stage-coach. Sandy Montgomery, a kinsman of Bishop Montgomery lies within the churchyard. His inscription reads, “Here lyeth the Body of Alexander Montgomery Esq., who departed this Life 29th September 1800, aged 78. He Represented this once Independent Country, 32 years”