Overview
The cathedral is dedicated to Christ the King, a dedication associated with Pope Pius XI in the 1920s, and it opened in 1936. From outside, the twin towers and green dome over Mullingar, County Westmeath, are what catch the eye; inside is where the real interest lies. If you have time for one thing, find the Boris Anrep mosaics, one of which is said to hide a love story, told below. The cathedral is the seat of the Bishop of Meath and entry is free. The National Inventory of Architectural Heritage records the building’s Renaissance Revival design.
History and origins
Planning for a new cathedral began in 1920, once the diocese decided the existing 19th-century church could no longer serve a growing town. Architect Ralph Byrne of William Byrne & Sons designed a basilican-style building, its granite quarried at Barnacullia in County Dublin. Construction started in March 1933, and Bishop Thomas Mulvany laid the foundation stone on 6 August that year.
The cathedral opened on 6 September 1936. The total cost of construction and decoration came to £275,000, a considerable sum at the time.
Architecture and interior
The exterior is defined by its two symmetrical towers, each rising roughly 55 metres and topped with bronze crosses. The façade blends Renaissance Revival proportions with Celtic stone carving.
Inside, the basilican layout opens into a wide nave. Marble columns line the side aisles toward a semi-circular apse framing the high altar, and natural light through the stained-glass windows shifts colour across the stone floor through the day. The acoustics carry the organ and choir clearly, and the cathedral is a regular venue for sacred music.
The mosaics
The cathedral’s most celebrated feature is the pair of mosaics by the Russian-born artist Boris Anrep, in the Saint Patrick and Saint Anne chapels, combining Byzantine technique with Celtic pattern. The Irish Architectural Archive records the two commissions in 1948 and 1954. Anrep also made mosaics for Westminster Cathedral and the National Gallery in London.
The Saint Patrick mosaic shows the saint lighting the Paschal fire on the Hill of Slane, the flames arranged into a Christogram. The Saint Anne mosaic is the one with the story: it is said to include the name ‘Anna’, taken as a reference to the poet Anna Akhmatova, with whom Anrep is said to have had an affair. See the mosaics in daylight, when the sunlight works across the glass and changes their colour and depth.
The museum
The cathedral contains a museum of local church history. It is a quick stop rather than a long one, and access depends on the parish, so ask in advance whether it can be seen.
Visiting
Opening hours and admission
Entry is free. The cathedral is a place of worship, so check the parish notices for services and events, and choose a time outside services for sightseeing. Visiting outside Mass times keeps the nave and chapels quiet for a proper look at the mosaics.
Getting there and parking
The cathedral is a short walk from Mullingar town centre, close to the Royal Canal towpath. Check parking signs in the town centre.
Accessibility and family notes
Ask the parish in advance about any step-free arrangements you need, including for the museum. The mosaics and stained glass are viewable from within the chapels and nave, and quiet side areas can give families a calm break from busier town attractions.
Contact
- Phone: +353 44 934 8338
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: Mullingar Parish
Nearby attractions
Mullingar and surrounding Westmeath offer several complementary stops for visitors:
- Belvedere House Estate and Jealous Wall – A well-preserved Georgian mansion with formal gardens and the distinctive Jealous Wall.
- Hill of Uisneach – The ancient ceremonial centre of Ireland, featuring standing stones, passage tombs, and sweeping views across the Midlands.
- Fore – Abbey and Seven Wonders – A medieval abbey and collection of historic curiosities located a short drive north of Mullingar.
Come around midday if you can: that is when the sun works across the Anrep mosaics and brings out their colour and depth. Find the name ‘Anna’ in the Saint Anne chapel before you leave.