The name of this Roman Catholic church is almost as grandiose as the structure itself: The Cathedral of Our Lady Assumed into Heaven and St Nicholas. Funding for the project began in 1876. The architect, John J. Robinson, was assigned in 1949 and construction along the west bank of the River Corrib began nine years later. Galway Cathedral opened in 1965. Its cruciform, Renaissance design with a limestone façade is reminiscent of grand European cathedrals despite its relative youth. The Bishop of Galway, the Most Reverend Michael Browne, received some criticism post construction. Those complaints soon faded. Since then, the green copper dome has become an impressive landmark visible from most parts of the city and the bay.
