Daniel O'Connell Memorial Church
Daniel O'Connell Memorial Church
Daniel O'Connell Memorial Church
4.5
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traveltheworld012
Rochester, MN17,328 contributions
May 2023 • Couples
Heading for the King Of Kerry on Tuesday, May 23, 2023 we made a stop to explore a bit of Cahersiveen and to see this church. Itis huge. We walked the grounds and then went inside. Beautiful architecture and lovely stained glass windows.
Written June 26, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SirNorman
County Cork, Ireland573 contributions
Sep 2015 • Business
Entering Cahersiveen is little different to many other Kerry towns. Usual two story and three story streetscape which in the case of this town is one straight street. In reality it could be called 'Main Street' but has different street names between side streets. In the middle of all of this is Church Street.
Arriving from the north east, suddenly this enormous structure looms out of the surrounding street. It is quite a jolt because of its proportional size relative to its setting. You are in Church Street whose name understates this structure; it is much more than a mere church.
It is important to understand the context of the existence of this church. It has to be seen in its place in Irish history. Ireland was governed by England and was subjected to oppression under the Penal Laws. Laws described by orator and politician Edmund Burke as "a machine of wise and elaborate contrivance, as well fitted for the oppression, impoverishment and degradation of a people, and the debasement in them of human nature itself, as ever proceeded from the perverted ingenuity of man''.
In the 1700's a Catholic could not own land, could not vote or take office. Indeed the laws even allowed a neighboring Protestant to take your land if you owned or inherited land. Cahersiveen had one such family who were of modest means but had a son Daniel who was destined to become a colossus in Irish history, becoming known as The Liberator for his success in ending the Penal Laws and delivering the Catholic Relief Act 1829 also known as Catholic Emancipation.
Ireland has had a few willful single minded clergymen. Of recent years Canon Horan built an airport so that pilgrims could visit the Knock Shrine. He did not concern himself with Planning Permission or any permission he just did it . Likewise in Queenstown (Cobh) the chapel on the hill was replaced it with a huge Cathedral almost thumbing its nose at the nearby Protestant Church. Cahersiveen too had its single minded cleric. He wanted to build an appropriate church to honour The Liberator'. His Bishop refused him permission as did the Archbishop so he went over their heads and go the Pope to give his permission.
The Daniel O'Connell Memorial Church is of a scale that equals the ambition of the parish priest to mark the contribution of the man who had brought Catholic liberty to Ireland. You have to realise that this project was commenced while Ireland was still strongly under the control of England but a resurgent Catholic Church was unstoppable in re-establishing itself is spite of a government that had been exclusively Protestant.
So it is not just the church and its uniqueness in being dedicated to a layman rather than a saint but the colossus that was Daniel O'Connell is remembered by the enthusiasm of a parish priest that could not build a big enough monument to the man. Regrettably the troubled construction programme ended with the tower and spire never being completed. What a pity, it would have given the structure a proper proportional scale. (I add a photograph that shows how the church should have looked)
Arriving from the north east, suddenly this enormous structure looms out of the surrounding street. It is quite a jolt because of its proportional size relative to its setting. You are in Church Street whose name understates this structure; it is much more than a mere church.
It is important to understand the context of the existence of this church. It has to be seen in its place in Irish history. Ireland was governed by England and was subjected to oppression under the Penal Laws. Laws described by orator and politician Edmund Burke as "a machine of wise and elaborate contrivance, as well fitted for the oppression, impoverishment and degradation of a people, and the debasement in them of human nature itself, as ever proceeded from the perverted ingenuity of man''.
In the 1700's a Catholic could not own land, could not vote or take office. Indeed the laws even allowed a neighboring Protestant to take your land if you owned or inherited land. Cahersiveen had one such family who were of modest means but had a son Daniel who was destined to become a colossus in Irish history, becoming known as The Liberator for his success in ending the Penal Laws and delivering the Catholic Relief Act 1829 also known as Catholic Emancipation.
Ireland has had a few willful single minded clergymen. Of recent years Canon Horan built an airport so that pilgrims could visit the Knock Shrine. He did not concern himself with Planning Permission or any permission he just did it . Likewise in Queenstown (Cobh) the chapel on the hill was replaced it with a huge Cathedral almost thumbing its nose at the nearby Protestant Church. Cahersiveen too had its single minded cleric. He wanted to build an appropriate church to honour The Liberator'. His Bishop refused him permission as did the Archbishop so he went over their heads and go the Pope to give his permission.
The Daniel O'Connell Memorial Church is of a scale that equals the ambition of the parish priest to mark the contribution of the man who had brought Catholic liberty to Ireland. You have to realise that this project was commenced while Ireland was still strongly under the control of England but a resurgent Catholic Church was unstoppable in re-establishing itself is spite of a government that had been exclusively Protestant.
So it is not just the church and its uniqueness in being dedicated to a layman rather than a saint but the colossus that was Daniel O'Connell is remembered by the enthusiasm of a parish priest that could not build a big enough monument to the man. Regrettably the troubled construction programme ended with the tower and spire never being completed. What a pity, it would have given the structure a proper proportional scale. (I add a photograph that shows how the church should have looked)
Written October 11, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lorraine C
14 contributions
Jul 2018 • Couples
The remains of Monsignor Hugh o Flaherty are resting In the graveyard and given what a heroic figure he was, this alone is a reason for paying homage here. The church itself is grand, like a cathedral with large columns and fine stained glass windows and for church enthusiasts it merits a visit .
Written July 5, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
timbertoby
Australia962 contributions
Dec 2019
Daniel O'Connell Memorial Church is in the centre of Cahersiveen, Co. Kerry. It is one of the few catholic churches in the world dedicated to a layperson. The construction is interesting in that the granite comes from Northern Ireland & the marble slab / cornerstone was sourced from the catacombs in Rome. His birthplace, Carahan, can be found just outside Cahersiveen to the left of the bridge entering the town from Killarney.
Written February 10, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
aong
Ireland63 contributions
Apr 2018 • Couples
It’s just another boring Catholic Church with nothing of interest going for it, other than apparently it was build on the donations of emigrants to the US who sent money to the town to fund its building. It’s just a big imposing building in the middle of the town. I cannot think of anything either inside or outside the building to recommend it. Go visit the old barracks instead, which has been very well restored by the OPW (Offfice of Public Works).
Written May 8, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
katedillon993
Dublin, Ireland77 contributions
Jul 2013 • Family
There is no doubt that this church does not stick out of the town land in Cahersiveen! :) It is right in the middle of the town, with plenty of free parking around this church is perfect. It is the only church not named after a saint in ireland! It is beautiful and a real sight within all the ocean magic!
Written July 27, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
damioke
Leuven, Belgium34 contributions
The Daniel O'Connell memorial church is set in the middle of Cahersiveen and still in use. We experienced this, unfortunately, as we were there when a service was being held inside the church. But the outside of it alone is stunning already. Everywhere I go, I like to see churches and I liked this one a lot because it's not a typical one. First of all, I found it huge (there are I think three small pavements leading to an entrance of it), it's grey but not boring, and it doesn't have a tower. It's difficult tp explain, but I believe this church is one definitely to be seen!
Written May 31, 2007
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
G B
6 contributions
Jul 2019
This is a wonderful place to visit, it is a beautiful and ornate. There is daily Mass and it was lovely to hear some parts of the prayers said in Irish Gaelic. There is a very friendly and helpful lady in the visitors centre/piety stall. Daniel O'Connell was a political leader and liberator of Ireland, the church is named after him. It is rare for a church to be named after someone who is not a saint. Monsignor Hugh O’ Flaherty is buried in the grounds of this church, he was a flamboyant character and Vatican diplomat who helped secure the lives of many during World War II. The church is just 5 minutes walk from where the bus drops you off in the town centre. Cahersiveen is a very friendly town with nice cafes, shops and history. At the end of July/ beginning of August there is a town festival which is nice and lively. They call this town the gateway to the Skelligs (islands off the coast of Kerry) and the Ring of Kerry so if you like scenery this is the place to start.
Written October 18, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Albywon
Sydney, Australia13,615 contributions
Aug 2019 • Couples
Entrance is through the side which is unusual for Catholic Churches.
There is a plaque dated 1st January 1884
approving the building by Pope Leo XIII (see photo)
Interesting interior, nice features.
There is a plaque dated 1st January 1884
approving the building by Pope Leo XIII (see photo)
Interesting interior, nice features.
Written August 22, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
KommissarKen
Portland730 contributions
Jun 2019 • Solo
With its imposing gray visage, offset by a brightly painted mural of a monsignor nearby, the O'Connell Church is omnipresent in the Cahersiveen "skyline." there is a small graveyard on the grounds which includes the monsignor.
But the story of the church includes running out of money during construction, which seemed apparent once inside. It is dark and stark, wich some of the most uncomfortable loooking pews I've ever seen. The windows are largely see-though -- there is little stained glass here.
I happened by the church during a funeral procession, which was a bit of good luck for me ... though not for the deceased.
But the story of the church includes running out of money during construction, which seemed apparent once inside. It is dark and stark, wich some of the most uncomfortable loooking pews I've ever seen. The windows are largely see-though -- there is little stained glass here.
I happened by the church during a funeral procession, which was a bit of good luck for me ... though not for the deceased.
Written June 25, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Construction began in 1875 and first Mass was in 1902. This is the only church in Ireland not named after a saint but a lay person who was born in Cahersiveen 100 years previously. In the graveyard the grave of Mgr Hugh O'Flaherty can be found. He was the priest who hid 6500 persons in and around Rome during the Second World War and was decorated by many countries. The film "The Scarlet and the Black" in which Gregory Peck played the Monsignor was based on his life.
Written November 10, 2016
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