The site for the cathedral (picture above) was donated by Francis Gore, a Protestant landowner in 1828.  The building was originally intended to serve as the parish church of Ennis.  The architect was Dominick Madden who had also designed the cathedrals in Ballina & Tuam.

Financial pressure hindered the project which resulted in a suspension of work for three years.  It was not until 1842 that the roof was put on the building and the first Mass was held in the still unfinished building by parish priest, Dean O’Shaughnessy.

In 1874 the tower and spire were completed and in 1890 Dr Thomas McRedmond was consecrated as the Bishop of Killaloe.  The parish church of SS Peter & Paul was designated as the pro-cathedral of the diocese when the new Bishop decided to make Ennis his home.

Major renovations were carried out in 1894 – the construction of the present main entrance and the redecoration of the building.  The large painting of the Ascension which dominates the sanctuary (the work of Nagle & Potts) was also installed at this time.  A new sacristy and chapter room were added in the 1930s as were the pipe organ and chapter stalls for the canons.

Read more about the Organ here.

In 1973, work was carried out to bring the building into line with the requirements of the Second Vatican Council. The team involved in the renovation included architect-Andrew Devan;   contractors-The Ryan Brothers and artistic advisor-Enda King.  The building was reopened after six months in December 1973.

In 1990, 163 years after work on the building began, Bishop Harty named it a cathedral.  The solemn dedication of the cathedral and the altar took place on 18 November 1990. The sanctuary was rebuilt and the building redecorated after a fire at a shrine in the cathedral in October 1995. The restoration was celebrated with Solemn Evening Prayer in November 1996.