In historical terms The Cathedral is relatively young. Work started in on the site of an old prison and was complete by There was a parish chapel built circa on Middle Street and in this was replaced by a limestone building which was dedicated to St Patrick. The architect was John J. Robinson and the architecture has many influences. There is Renaissance style to the pillars and domes. Christian themes echo throughout the building, windows and mosaics. Built almost completely with local limestone it is thought to be the final stone public building erected in Ireland.
The original organ was built by Rushworth and Dreaper of Liverpool in This was renovated between by renowned Irish organ builder Trevor Crowe. There are three spectacular windows inside the church. They represent fifteen of the twenty mysteries of the Rosary. The other mystery is Why were the other five, the luminous mysteries omitted? There are many other beautiful windows to see and interiors.
Some are lit with a blue light which gives of a wondrous glow. An incredible site and experience. However the Cathedral is not without controversy. Richter has produced abstract as well as photorealistic paintings, and also photographs and glass pieces. His art follows the examples of Picasso and Jean Arp in undermining the concept of the artist's obligation to maintain a single cohesive style.
Ernst moved the family to Dresden after taking up the family enterprise of brewing and eventually went bankrupt. Once in Dresden, Hildegard trained as a bookseller, and in doing so realized a passion for literature and music. Gerhard's father, Horst Richter, was a mathematics and physics student at the Technische Hochschule in Dresden.
The two were married in After struggling to maintain a position in the new Nationalist Socialist education system, Horst found a position in Reichenau. In Reichenau, Gerhard's younger sister, Gisela was born in November Horst and Hildegard were able to remain primarily apolitical due to Reichenau's location in the countryside.
