St Patrick's Cathedral, Skibbereen, Co. Cork

The town of Skibbereen is located on Ireland's southwesterly Atlantic coast. A small rural town, now with a population of less than 3,000, it proudly stands as the cathedral town of the Catholic diocese of Ross. Ross is one of Ireland's smallest dioceses, numbering only a handful of parishes. Its size has been a determining factor in its union with two larger neighbouring dioceses over time: Cork and Cloyne. In 1747 Cork and Cloyne became separate dioceses, each with their own bishop, and Ross was subsequently united with Cork in 1750, an arrangement that continues to this day. 

The new cathedral was located along the banks of the River Ilen and was built in 1826. It was a Classical structure with  a cut stone front. It was not completed with a bell tower or spire, but rather a bellcote was added above the pediment. St Patrick's was a relativity small building; a three bay nave with transepts to the north and south. The cathedral was bordered by a convent, home to Sisters of Mercy. Their chapel can be seen to the left of the cathedral. 

The cathedral's interior was essentially Classical, albeit with a somewhat irregular appearance, partially due to the erection of galleries in the transepts and the enlarged sanctuary, which sits behind arches and Corinthian pillars.