St. Vincent Church, Cork

St Vincent's church is a remarkable essay in early Gothic by Sir John Benson. It stands on a bluff of Sunday's Well, built predominantly of red sandstone which appears particularly impressive when looked at from the Mardyke. The site on which it stands was a gift to the city from Miss Mary MacSwiney, a local resident. Public subscription for the project was organised by the Very Reverend Michael O'Sullivan, Vicar General of Cork. Construction of the church began on 24 October 1851 with the foundation stone laid by the Bishop of Cork William Delaney. Half way to completion, on 4 November 1853, when much of the stonework and part of the roof was done, a natural disaster – mighty storm – fell upon the structure blowing off the roof and seriously damaging the walls. The event aroused nationwide sympathy and saw many donations for rebuilding of the church coming in from many dioceses and private individuals across Ireland. The completed church was solemnly dedicated on 20 July 1856.