Overview
This is the first cathedral in the world dedicated to Christ the King, a title requested by Pope Pius XI in the 1920s and adopted here when the building 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 them hides a love story, told below. The cathedral is the seat of the Bishop of Meath and entry is free.
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 and was consecrated on 13 August 1939. 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 that seats up to 5,000. 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 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 includes the name ‘Anna’, taken as a reference to the poet Anna Akhmatova, with whom Anrep had an affair – this is the only Anrep mosaic anywhere to carry her name, and as many as 34 of her poems are said to be about him. See the mosaics in daylight, when the sunlight works across the glass and changes their colour and depth.
The museum
A compact ecclesiastical museum occupies part of the ground floor. Its best pieces are oddities: vestments once worn by St Oliver Plunkett, a ring historically linked to Marie Antoinette, and scale models of Westmeath churches from the 17th century to the present. It is a quick stop rather than a long one, but the Marie Antoinette ring alone earns the detour.
Visiting
Opening hours and admission
Entry is free. The cathedral keeps no published visitor hours, but it is open through the day around services, and Adoration runs from 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday. The simplest plan is to come outside Mass times (below) if you want to look around quietly.
Mass times
Sunday Masses are at 8.30am, 11am and 12.30pm. Weekday Masses are at 7.45am and 10am, with a 6pm vigil on Saturdays. Confessions are heard on Saturdays from 2pm to 3pm. 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. There is a paid car park in front of the cathedral, on the south side; on-street parking nearby is limited, and the Mullingar Town Car Park off St Mary’s Road is the fallback for a longer visit. Arrive early at weekends.
Accessibility and family notes
The building is fully wheelchair accessible. A side entrance provides step-free entry, and a lift connects to the ground-floor museum. Accessible toilets are located near the main entrance. Strollers are welcome, and the wide aisles make navigation straightforward. The mosaics and stained glass are positioned at eye level, making them easy for children to view, while quiet side areas provide a calm space for families seeking a break from busier town attractions.
Contact
- Phone: +353 44 934 8338
- Email: cathedral@dioceseofmeath.ie
- 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.