St Nicholas' Pro-Cathedral

By Samuel J. Maguire

Report from The Freeman's Journal and Daily Commercial Advertiser, July 8, 1816).

On Monday last, the first stone was laid in the foundation of a new Parish Chapel, on the site where the old one stood, in Middle Street, in the town. The day chosen for the purpose happening to be the anniversary of the battle of the Boyne, the circumstances presented an appropriate opportunity, which was eagerly seized by all classes, of affording a gratifying demonstration of the union and cordiality which exist here (and to the honour of this county be it remembered, always did) between the members of different religious persuasions.

About one o'clock, the popular Roman Catholic Warden of Galway (the Right Rev. Dr. Ffrench) and the other Catholic clergy of the town, attired in their sacerdotal habits, assembled at the old County Court-house, which is now temporarily converted into a Parish Chapel. They were there met by Hyacinth Daly, Esq., our respected Mayor, attended by the Sheriff's and other Magistrates, and Officers of the Corporation, clothed in their official costume and bearing the insignia of their municipal character, together with a great concourse - comprising, indeed, almost the entire body of the respectable Gentry of Galway.

From the Court house this collected assembly moved in regular procession, proceeded by a band of music, through High Street, Shop Street, and Abbeygate Street to where the new chapel is to stand. There the usual form was gone through of laying the first stone, which was deposited by the Mayor, in front of whose house, the populance lighted, in the evening, an amazing large bonfire". (From the Galway Chronicle, July 6th ,1816).

Galway, July 4. [1816]

On Monday last, Galway witnessed a scene unparalleled in her history, or in the history of the British empire. It was an unusual but a gratifying sight to behold, on the 1st of July, Protestants and Catholics, the Civil and Ecclesiastical Corporations, the Secular and Regular Clergy, all clothed in their robes of office, preceded by their various insignias, and marching in solemn procession through the principal streets of the town - not for the purpose of reminding the Catholic of the galling degradation under which he labours - not to keep alive those feuds which have so long distracted our wretched country - not to display with ascendancy, pride and intolerant bigotry, those shameful destructions which have hitherto been a barrier to the repose and happiness of Ireland - no - but to lay the foundation stone of an edifice, which being dedicated to the supreme worship of the deity, will at the same time be a monument to succeeding generations of the unanimity, concord, and harmony which exists between those of every religious persuasion in this loyal and extensive County.

At an early hour all the avenues and streets leading from Courthouse Lane to Middle Street, were crowded by an immense concourse of people, who came to view this pleasing spectacle. At one o' clock the procession moved from the temporary Chapel through Cross Street, High Street, Shop Street, Abbeygate Street, and into Middle Street, in the following order:
The Band of the 12th Regiment.
The Sword and Mace, borne by the Officers of the Corporation
The Architect, Mr. Cusack
Hyacinth Daly Esq., Mayor, dressed with all the pomp of civic costume; and having as his supporters, Edward Blake and Dominic Daly Esq., the only Catholic Corporation Magistrates in Ireland.
The Sheriffs, with their wands, Francis Eager, Esq., Protestant Sheriff, and Michael Ffrench, Esq., Catholic Sheriff.
The principal Gentlemen of the Town, two and two linked arm and arm-without distinction of Protestant or Catholic, Methodist or Dissenter, Tribe or non-Tribe
The Clergy, two and two, habited in soutanes and surplices and stoles.
The Right Rev. Dr. Ffrench, Roman Catholic Warden, in splendid Pontificals, supported on each side by a Clergyman, and followed by five young Gentlemen, as his train bearers.

On arriving at the site on which the Chapel is to be erected, the Warden handed a silver trowel to our worthy and liberal Mayor, who laid the foundation stone, with the accustomed ceremonies amidst the acclamations of upwards of 10,000 delighted spectators.

The procession returned through Back street in the same order that it set out.

On Monday evening, Edward Blake, Esq., accompanied by the Right Rev. Dr. Ffrench and some of the principal inhabitants of the town, waited on his Worship, Hyacinth Daly, Esq., Mayor, to return him their grateful acknowledgements and warmest thanks for his liberality and kind condescension on that day.

To which his Worship was pleased to return the following answer:-

Gentlemen - The flattering manner in which you have condescended to return thanks for my attendance on this day, in laying the first stone of the Chapel, is very gratifying to me; and considered as an honour, rather than an inconvenience. I could wish it were in my power to prosper the undertaking to the extent of my desire, as any thing for the advancement of the town of Galway and its inhabitants would greatly contribute to my happiness".

Report from The Freeman's Journal and Daily commercial Advertiser, July 8, 1816).

Hardiman on the Foundation Ceremony

Hardiman referring to the ceremony states,

" The foundation of the new collegiate chapel of St. Nicholas was laid on 1st July, 1816... by Hyacinth Daly Esq., Mayor of the town. This memorable day presented a sight in Galway which forcibly envinced the increasing liberality of the times, and which was as grateful to every liberal patriotic and enlightened mind as it was novel and unprecedented in the annals of the country - the head of a Protestant corporation laying the foundation of a Catholic Chapel in a town where, within the memory of many persons yet living, a Catholic would be liable to persecution for daring to avow the principles of his religion ... The entire edifice, when completed, will prove a considerable ornament to the town, and be one of the most spacious and elegant Catholic chapels in the kingdom. "

The building was completed in 1821.

Thirty-six People Killed in Panic

On Christmas morning, 1824, before the first Mass at 6 o'clock when the celebrant was about to leave the sacristy, there was a shout from one of the galleries that the floor was falling. The cry was taken up by others and a panic followed. The church was crowded with city and county people. The passages leading to the doors were blocked, many jumped from the galleries contemporary record states.

" For a few moments, a scene was witnessed so terrific that it baffles description; but when it was seen that the frightful panic which had seized on the people was groundless, there was a gloomy lull, and all who were able exerted themselves in assisting those who were wounded and in removing the bodies of the dead. It was a most heart-rending scene, and the agonising cries of the wounded, and the wailings of those who discovered among the dead the body of a beloved relation or friend could never be forgotten by those who heard them. It may be easily imagined that the Christmas festival of 1824 was a sorrowful one in Galway as thirty-six persons were killed. "