The theme of this window is Heavenly Hierarchy (1876). Christ is at the centre, surrounded by a circle of suns and stars, and hosts of angels. INDEX
62. SOUTH TRANSEPT WINDOWS Gl x4
There are four lancet windows beneath the South transept wheel window. From left to right, bottom to top, these windows show: •• Ezekiel Writes on a Tile, Ezekiel Preaching to the Jews, Ezekiel and the Elders, Ezekiel’s Vision of Eagles (1880); •• Isaiah Comforts Ahaz, Isaiah Marries the Prophetess, Isaiah Shows the Dial to Hezekiah, Isaiah Touched with a Live Coal (1877); •• Jeremiah Preaches to the Jews,Jeremiah Talks to the Potter, Jeremiah is Imprisoned, Jeremiah’s Visions (1880); •• Daniel Interprets Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream, Daniel’s Vision of Four Beasts (1880).
63. CHANCEL TA
The chancel is located between the two transepts. This is where the choir stalls are to be found. We shall return here, but first we shall explore the ambulatory, beginning at the North arch. [Photo Credit: Peter Lee]
64. NORTH AMBULATORY TA TA
Carefully avoiding the organ pipes (!) we proceed through a wrought iron grill to the curve of the ambulatory. The outer wall is much like the walls of the nave, with stained glass windows above, and a marble base inscribed with gold text and various crests. [Photo1 Credit: AlbertSalichs] [Photo Credit: Bodnarpati]
65. SOUTH AMBULATORY TA TA
Here is a detailed look at a portion of the text, and a view of the South ambulatory. [Photos Credit: 111TWIGAMINHAAFRIKA]
66. NORTH AMBULATORY WINDOWS TA
There are eighteen windows around the apse wall, continuing the theme of illustrating Scripture that we have seen before. [Photo Credit: Eximious Traveller]
67. AMBULATORY WINDOWS I Gl x2
We look at the apse windows, walking around from the North side to the South. The windows occur in groups of three, except for the first – a group of two, and the last – a single window. In this first group, from left to right and from bottom to top, the windows depict: •• Zacharias’s Vision, Circumcision of St John the Baptist, St John the Baptist Preaching (1878); •• St John the Baptist Baptism, St John the Baptist Reproves Herod, Beheading of St John the Baptist (1876).
68. AMBULATORY WINDOWS II Gl x3
Continuing our walk around the ambulatory ... windows from bottom to top. •• Annunciation, Visitation, Nativity (1880); •• Announcement to Shepherds, Shepherds Worshipping, Adoration of the Magi (Nativity) (1878); •• Flight into Egypt, Massacre of the Innocents, Christ Disputing with the Doctors (1878).
69. AMBULATORY WINDOWS III Gl x3
From bottom to top ... . •• Baptism of Christ, Calling of St Peter and St Andrew, Wedding Feast at Cana (1877); •• Christ and the Samaritan Woman at the Well, Transfiguration (1878); •• Raising of Lazarus, Entry into Jerusalem, Christ Teaching in the Temple (1873).
70. AMBULATORY WINDOWS IV Gl x3
From bottom to top ... . •• Last Supper, Agony in the Garden, Betrayal (1876); •• Christ Before the High Priest, Christ Before Pilate, Deposition (1876); •• Burial, Resurrection (1875).
71. AMBULATORY WINDOWS V Gl x3
Just over half way around the ambulatory! •• Angel and Women at the Tomb, Road to Emmaus, Supper at Emmaus (1876); •• Incredulity of Thomas, Ascension (1880); •• Pentecost, Stoning of St Stephen, Conversion of St Paul (1876).
72. AMBULATORY WINDOWS VI Gl x3
Further around ... . •• St John the Divine, Angels with Trumpets, Twelve Elders (1877); •• Seven Candlesticks of the Seven Churches, Emblems of the Evangelists, Our Lord Enthroned (1881); •• Two Beasts, Angel with Thurrible, Twelve Elders (1881).
73. AMBULATORY WINDOW VII Gl
Last ambulatory window! •• St John with Angel Measuring the New Jerusalem, Angel at the Gate of the New Jerusalem, Lamb (1876).
74. THE DAVID DOOR TA TA
This bronze door, inlaid with silver, is David’s Door, named so because of the carving of King David with an Irish harp over the top. There are four lions prowling around the exterior of the door. This was intended to lead to a small organ gallery, but sadly, the gallery was never built. [Photos Credit: P.L. Chadwick]
75. CANON BALL TA TA
A cannon ball? In fact, the cannonball arrived in the traditional way; the 24 pound shot was fired from nearby Elizabeth Fort on Barrack Street during the siege of Cork in 1690. It sat in the steeple of the old cathedral for years, right up until the building was demolished to make way for the present structure in 1864. A cathedral canon?! [Photo1 Credit: lCiara19; Photo2 Credit: Management]
77. MISERICORDS TA TA
There are misericords on the undersides of the choir stalls with flip seats. Misericords date from monastic times when monks had to stand through long services. The term misericord refers to a shelf attached to the underside of the seat on which a monk could rest his behind. Many misericords had carving beneath them – often funny, and sometime quite irreligious. The carver here seemed to like frogs and snails! [Photos Credit: Management]
78. CROSSING TA TA
The choir stalls in this Cathedral occupy the crossing – the space where the transepts cross over the axis of the Cathedral. For St Fin Barre’s Cathedral, this is below the central tower, and we can look up to a simple ‘lantern’. [Photo1 Credit: z0rr0040; Photo2 Credit: DublinEyespy]
80. ALTAR TA TA
The altar sits in the sanctuary area which is separated from the ambulatory by a wrought iron grill. The gold and brown altar frontal carries the words ‘Holy + Holy + Holy‘. Our eyes are drawn to the amazing mosaic floor of this area. [Photo1 Credit: Svenni W] [Photo2 Credit: Steve H]