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St Mary's Cathedral is a cathedral in Limerick, Ireland, dedicated to the Virgin Mary.

View of St Mary's Cathedral Limerick

St Mary's Cathedral in October 2005

In 1111, at the Synod of Rathbrassil, it was decided that "St Mary's church" would become the cathedral church of the Diocese of Limerick. The present site of St Mary's Cathedral may not have been the original location of the church of St Mary. As Brian Hodkinson notes, tradition has it that Donal O'Brien, the King of Thomond, founded the present cathedral on the site of his palace on King's Island in the latter half of the 12th century.

The Cathedral of St Mary Blessed Virgin (St Mary's), Limerick, Ireland has had a long and eventful history. Historically the Cathedral has been known as Limerick Cathedral. It was founded in 1168 on the site of a palace donated by Donal Mor O'Brien King of Munster. The Irish Government commissioned a postage stamp to commemorate its 800 year anniversary in 1968. Experts believe that parts of the palace are incorporated into the present structure of the Cathedral. The most prominent is the West Door which may have been the origial main entrance to the palace. The palace had been built on the site of the Viking meeting house. This had been the centre of government in the early medieval Viking city. St Mary's Cathedral has seen many changes as the city expanded around it and it remain today the oldest and most historic building in Limerick. No trip to the City is complete without visiting this historic building at the very heart of this ancient metropolis.

The ancient West Door of the cathedral is only used now on ceremonial occasions. The Bishops of Limerick (including the current Bishop Michael Mayes) have for centuries knocked on this door and enter by it as part of their installation ceremony. In keeping with the City of Limerick motto translated as "An ancient City well versed in the art of war". Legend has it that in the past the West Door had a more military purpose. During the many sieges of Limerick the defenders of the City used the stones around the door to sharpen their swords. Tradition has it, the marks they made in the stonework can be seen to this day.

It is also believed that in 1651 after Cromwell's forces captured the City the Cathedral was used as a stable by the parliamentary army. Thankfully this misuse of such a wonderful building was short lived, but was a similar fate to that suffered by some of the other great Cathedrals during the Cromwellian campaign in Ireland. The Cathedral is open to the public six days a week.

Sunset through a Celtic Cross in the graveyard of the Cathedral

Since the Reformation, St Mary's has been part of the Church of Ireland. St John's is Limerick's Roman Catholic cathedral.

• St Mary's Cathedral official website

	City of Limerick
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