St Mary's Dominican Church, Cork

This church was opened in 1839; the portico was added in 1861. The architect, Kearns Deane, provided his services free of charge, despite the fact that he was not a Catholic. This beautiful church has six fluted Ionic columns; they support a pediment upon which rests a statue of Our Lady by James Cahill of Dublin. The church is primarily built of white limestone. Inside, sixteen fluted pillars line the nave and sanctuary. The four red pillars are made of polished Aberdeen granite and each is a single 3.5m piece. The 14th century statue on the altar, Our Lady of the Graces, is said to have miraculous properties. The diminutive statue was made in northern France, and is said to have floated in a log into Youghal harbour in the 15th century, staying there until it was moved to St Mary's.