St Peter's Cathedral

The site for the building had been donated by the famous baker Bernard Hughes of Belfast and it was designed by Fr Jeremiah Ryan Macaulay who had trained as an architect before he became a priest of this Diocese.. St Peter’s is built of Scrabo sandstone with Scottish sandstone dressings. It is a less ornate and smaller version of the great French medieval cathedrals. The exterior is quite simple in design, the most intricate detail being found on the twin spires. They are a majestic addition to the towers and are an outstanding feature of the Belfast skyline. The towers contain a carillon of nine bells. Above the West Door in the tympanum is a depiction of the 'Liberation of Saint Peter'.

Internally the Cathedral has few original furnishings, having undergone several refurbishments in 1950, 1986 and 2003-2005. This most recent work has restored the Cathedral much nearer to its original appearance, especially in the use of strong and vibrant colours, on the fine hammer-beam ceiling. Detailed research has revealed the 19th century colours and stencil work inspired by A.W.N. Pugin, the celebrated Gothic Revival architect. The sanctuary ceiling is a different design, with coffered panels and arches that flank the windows below the IHS monogram and angels carrying emblems of the Passion.

In the Blessed Sacrament Chapel hangs the silver sanctuary lamp, an intricate piece of late Celtic Revival work by Eagan’s of Cork. This was presented in the 1920s by the McGowan family, who were members of this parish.

In the Lady Chapel is a copy of a 15th century statue of the Madonna and Child. The original of this statue is in a Cistercian Abbey in Normandy in France. It was Saint Malachy, the patron of this diocese, in his friendship with Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, who introduced the Cistercian Order into Ireland.

The Altar and the Ambo are both of limestone and were carved by Ken Thompson of Cork. The floor of the sanctuary is of artistic mosaic created by Sergio Bendetti.

Near the narthex is the baptismal font by the artist Ken Thompson. It is located near the entrance to the Cathedral to represent the fact that it is the Sacrament of Baptism by which Christians enter the life of the church. The shape of the font follows the ancient custom of being octagonal to remind us that it was on the eighth day that Christ rose from the dead. The font is adorned with geometric carvings and portrays the baptism of Christ in the river Jordan.