Carlow’s fine Gothic Cathedral was designed by Thomas Cobden, who also made the 19th-century changes to St Mary’s church nearby. The Cathedral’s most striking feature, a 46-metre tall tower and lantern, was inspired by the Beftroi Tower in Bruges, Belgium. Another attraction is the sculptured memorial by John Hogan to James Doyle, Bishop of Kildare and Leighlin, campaigner for Catholic emancipation and driving force behind the construction of the cathedral itself. He is buried in its walls.
